Sept. 16, 2009 -- Western State College alumni will travel far and wide for the annual Homecoming celebration this weekend. This year's theme is Western Rocks!

Friday night will be the always popular pre-victory and traditional “lighting of the W” party at the Aspinall-Wilson center at WSC, starting at 7 p.m. The free event also will feature live music by the Spring Creek bluegrass band and fireworks. There also will be a bonfire at the Mountaineer Bowl parking lot at 9 p.m.

On Saturday morning, the Homecoming parade will cruise through downtown Gunnison at 10 a.m. This will be followed by the football game where the WSC Mountaineers take on New Mexico Highlands at the Mountaineer Bowl at 1 p.m. Game tickets are $6 for adults and free for WSC students with ID.

The WSC Alumni Association also has a number of events and reunions planned for graduates. For more information about those events (note: some require pre-registration), visit the Alumni Association homecoming website at http://www.westernalum.org/events/index.asp?eventid=61 or call (970) 943-2493.

Other sporting events on Saturday include the lacrosse and rugby teams competing against alumni, and the WSC soccer team against Mesa State College and the Air Force.

Also on Saturday, the WordHorde English club will present an evening of spoken word poetry by the Elephant Engine High Dive Revival. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the WSC Taylor Auditorium. This professional spoken word troupe consists of Buddy Wakefiled, Derrick Brown, Shira Erlichman, Anis Mojgani and Robbie Q. Tickets are available for $5 at The Firebrand, Mochas and The Bean. Tickets will be $7 at the door.

Homecoming Event Schedule
Friday, Sept. 18

Alumni Golf Outing
Noon, Dos Rios Golf Course

Pre-Victory Party and the Traditional Lighting of the "W"
7 p.m., Aspinall-Wilson Center
Free food, drinks, live music by Spring Creek and fireworks

Homecoming Bonfire
9 p.m., Mountaineer Bowl Parking Lot
Saturday, Sept. 19

Meet the Coaches Breakfast
8 a.m., Aspinall-Wilson Center
Cost: $8 per person

Homecoming Parade
10 a.m., Main Street

50-year Retirement Reception for Dr. Ted Violett
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Aspinall-Wilson Center

College Center Tour
11 a.m., meet in the parking lot and wear closed-toe shoes

Rugby Game
WSC Rugby Team vs. Alumni
11 a.m., Athletic Field South of Campus

Rock Climbing Demonstration
11:30 p.m., Escalante Fitness Center

Lacrosse Game
WSC Lacrosse Team vs. Alumni
Noon, Athletic Field South of Campus

Football Game
WSC vs. New Mexico Highlands
1 p.m., Mountaineer Bowl
Cost: $6 adults (18+); Free for WSC students with valid ID and children under five; $3 students and senior citizens

College Center Tour
4:30 p.m., meet in the parking lot and wear closed-toe shoes

Alumni, Friends and MAA Social
Following the game, Pallisades Restaurant