Homecoming events at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga continue as anticipation builds for the Mocs vs. Georgia Southern game at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Jayne Holder, UTC director of alumni affairs, said there are several Greek and special-interest groups holding reunions or tailgating parties as well as events that are open to the general public. Here’s a rundown of the latter happening today and Saturday.
TODAY
* Try Out the ARC: The new Aquatic and Recreation Center will be open for alumni previews.
* Pep Rally: Join Coach Russ Huesman, Mocs football players, cheerleaders, UTC band and Scrappy at noon today in Miller Plaza for a homecoming pep rally. There will be free blue-and-gold SnoCones, free popcorn, Mocs merchandise for sale and even some Mocs giveaways. Game tickets will also be sold at the pep rally. Don’t forget to wear your blue and gold.
* Moc’n and Sing’n Down Memory Lane: The Chamber Singers will perform medleys and favorites originally sung by the Singing Mocs and Chattanooga Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. The concert is free but donations will be accepted.
* Lady Mocs soccer: The Lady Mocs host Western Carolina at 7 p.m. in Finley Stadium.
* Comedy show: The UTC Black Alumni Council is sponsoring a mixer and comedy show in the Imperial Ballroom of the Chattanooga Choo Choo at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature UTC alums Karen Mills and Brandalyn Paul Shropshire, along with Doug Williams. Tickets are $25, and proceeds will be donated to the UTC Scholarship Fund.
SATURDAY
* Campus tours: Student guides will take alumni on a walking tour of campus. The tour begins at 10 a.m. from Lansing Court beside the University Center.
* UTC Alumni Band: Dr. Stuart Benkert said an alumni band will march and play pregame. The alumni band members may also play with the Mocs band in the stands, he said. “Rehearsal starts at noon on Finley’s field,” he said. “Tony D’Andrea will conduct pregame, including the national anthem.” Interested musicians should call Benkert at 425-4736.
* UTC Front Runner Cross Country Invitational: The Mocs host the free meet on the grounds of Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. The women’s race begins at 3:30 p.m., the men’s at 4 p.m. More information is at GoMocs.com.
* Tailgating: Holder said tailgating will start at 3 p.m. with the Moc Walk through First Tennessee Pavilion at 3:50. “We will be giving away a commemorative poster that displays homecoming posters of the past 10 years,” said Holder. She said winners of Thursday’s Step-Down Show will perform for tailgaters at 4 p.m. A spirit parade at 5 p.m., led by the band, cheerleaders and spirit squads, will rev up fans for the homecoming game.
* Mocs vs. Georgia Southern: The game kicks off at 6 p.m. in Finley Stadium.