Special to The Flash
Jackson State University will welcome back alumni, friends and supporters as the much anticipated 2012 “One Nation Under the Blue” Homecoming Week begins.
JSU begins these activities on Oct. 14th with a worship service led by Cade Chapel M.B. Church at 10:45 a.m. This event is open to the public and will be held in Rose E. McCoy Auditorium. At 6 p.m. there will be a Fall Gospel Explosion with the JSU Interfaith Gospel Choir featuring: RUF Praise Team, Season 5 “Sunday Best” contestant Ashford Sanders, and gospel recording artist Johnathan McReynolds. This is a must see event for gospel lovers familiar with the dynamic sounds of the Praise Team and Interfaith and also for those not familiar with Sanders and McReynolds, who are both being hailed as the new faces of contemporary gospel. This event will take place in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium and general admission will be $5.00 at the door.
After you get your praise on, take a short walk over to the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center (AAC) for Basketball Midnight Madness beginning at 8 p.m. featuring the JSU Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams. The night will consist of several activities and attractions, such as a dunk contest featuring members of the men’s basketball team, music by D.J. Unpredictable (97.7FM), and a fireworks show outside the Athletics and Assembly Center at the conclusion of the event. Other features of the night will include:
- 3-Point shoot out
- Alumni basketball game
- Greek Stroll
- JSU Baby Tigers miniature skills competition
- Sonic Boom of the South and J-Settes
- Tug of war
- Face painting
Additionally, fans will have an opportunity to meet and get autographs from the players and coaches of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. This event is free and open to the public.
On Monday, Oct. 15th, students will be treated to music and information during the noontime series Hotspot. The noontime series will be held every day from 12-1 p.m. on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway. Later on that night in the AAC, ten finalists will compete for the distinction of being named “The Voice of JSU”. The event will take place at 7 p.m. and will feature 2003 American Idol winner and sultry R&B crooner Ruben Studdard, R&B recording artist, songwriter and actress Kandi Burruss and JSU Alumnus and gospel recording artist, Dathan Thigpen. You will not want to miss this event which will be held in the AAC. General admission is $10.00 in advance ticket and $15.00 the night of show.
On Tuesday, Oct. 16th, the JSU Fall Festival will be held at 7 p.m. on Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway. This event will feature a fashion show by the Insatiable Modeling Squad, and the talented artistry of JSU students in MADDRAMA, OutSpoken, and the JSU Dance Ensemble. As an added treat, the 10 “Voice of JSU” finalists will also perform. Also at 7: p.m., come out to support The Lady Tigers Volleyball team as they take on Alabama in the T. B. Ellis Gym. Admission is free.
Get ready for some side-splitting comedy on Wednesday, Oct. 17th at the Homecoming Comedy Show. Featuring the hilarious and best dressed man in comedy, Lav Luv; the raw, tell it like it is humor of Ms. Dominique, and multi-talented actor and comedienne Gary Owens. Advance admission tickets are $15 for students, $20 general admission and $25 at the door.
Lights, camera, action, click, click, click. On Thursday, Oct. 18th, the much anticipated coronation of Sarah Brown, 2012-2013 Miss JSU will be held. The theme for the occasion is “Harlem Nights at JSU” and the paparazzi will be in attendance at this glamorous occasion which will be held in the AAC.
Friday’s Homecoming festivities will begin with the Parents and Family Welcome Reception located at the JSU Welcome Center. Also from 12-4 p.m., the Welcome Home Yard Fest Street Jam will take place on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway/ B.F Roberts Parking Lot. At 3 p.m., a Soccer Game pitting Jackson State University vs. Alabama State University will be held at the Soccer Complex. Admission is free. Be sure to save some energy for later because at 7 p.m., the Annual Pan Hellenic Greek Show featuring the Greek organizations of JSU and hosted by DJ Unpredictable will be held in AAC. Admission to this event will be $10.00 in advance and $15.00 the night of show. Also at 7 p.m., the Lady Tigers Volleyball Team with take on the Mississippi Valley State University Devils at the Soccer Complex. Admission is free.
The Homecoming Court, local and national bands, drill teams, social organizations, car clubs and many more will be on display during the Annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 20th beginning at 9 a.m. in Downtown Jackson. The Homecoming Grand Marshal’s this year are physician, civil rights activist and community leader, Dr. Robert A. Smith, Sr. and Olympic Champion and JSU alumnus Michael Tinsley. Also at 9 a.m., a Baseball Alumni Game
will be held at Braddy Field.
Get Ready! The Homecoming Football Game, Jackson State University Tigers vs. Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils will kick-off at 4 p.m. at the JSU Stadium, formerly known as the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Be sure to come and watch this in-state rivalry.
To culminate this week of fun-filled and exciting events, the Parent and Family brunch will be held at the Cabot Lodge located at 2375 North State Street in Jackson.
So get ready to support the JSU Tigers as they bring home the victory in front of alumni, current students, family and friends. See you there!
Mattie Rush contributed
