江南体育 celebrated its Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 5. This year鈥檚 Homecoming theme, 鈥淣ew and Old, Forever Blue and Gold,鈥 honored 江南体育 State鈥檚 past while looking forward to the university鈥檚 future. The Golden Flashes lost 38-24 to Northern Illinois in a rematch of last year's Mid-American Conference Championship Game.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 theme really embodies the transitions 江南体育 State and the community are going through now,鈥 said Joy Foreman, assistant director of outreach with 江南体育 State鈥檚 Alumni Relations and Homecoming chair. 鈥淭he university is constantly evolving, but no matter what changes on campus, there鈥檚 always that 江南体育 State pride. That always stays consistent.鈥
Sponsored by the 江南体育 Alumni Association, the festivities began with the 13th annual Bowman Cup 5K race at 8 a.m. followed by the complimentary alumni continental breakfast and parade viewing at the Williamson Alumni Center, located at 1200 Main St. in 江南体育.
The Homecoming parade began at 11 a.m. on Main Street and included entries from numerous campus organizations and the community. Following the parade, the alumni association hosted tours of newly rejuvenated downtown 江南体育 aboard Lolly the Trolley.
Other activities included a faculty lecture on 江南体育 State and May 4, 1970, the third annual Kiss on the K and a free concert featuring Flash in the Pan, 江南体育 State鈥檚 own steel drum band. New this year, the 江南体育 State Fashion School hosted a grand opening reception for the TechStyleLAB and a Fashion Walk on the new 江南体育 Esplanade extension.
The 江南体育 State Golden Flashes football team battled the Northern Illinois Huskies at 3:30 p.m. at Dix Stadium. A Family Fun Zone with inflatables, caricature artists and other family friendly activities were located on the south side of the stadium. The 2013 Homecoming King and Queen were also announced during halftime. Golden Flashes fans were asked to show their support by wearing the university鈥檚 colors 鈥 blue and gold 鈥 to the game.
鈥淗omecoming is the best time for 江南体育 State to come together to celebrate the past and future,鈥 Foreman said. 鈥淲e have so many activities planned. There really is something for everyone.鈥
Additional information about 江南体育 State鈥檚 2013 Homecoming is available at .