ISU celebrating 100 years of homecoming

Posted on October 12, 2021
Other information about events throughout the week can be found here. (Twitter/Illinois State University Homecoming)

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Illinois State University is celebrating 100 years of homecoming with plenty of events throughout the week leading up to the football game Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State.

On Saturday morning, the “Town and Gown 5K” is making its return in a hybrid format this year. Rachel Kobus is the director of Alumni Engagement at ISU. She spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller.

“Virtual 5K’s were something people were very excited about, so this year we created our hybrid Town and Gown. We are taking registration all the way up to 7:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. But you can also do your own 5K wherever you want and register for the virtual event.”

The annual Illinois State Homecoming Parade is Saturday morning, stepping off at the corner of College Avenue and University Street at 10 a.m. Those who cannot make the parade can watch it live via ISU’s Facebook page. 

All pre-sale tailgate lot parking passes are sold out. Parking passes will be available on game-day at lots F43 and S103 starting at 7:00 a.m.

Other information about events throughout the week can be found here.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…