“Come on Down!” for UW-Madison Homecoming 2009

“The Homecoming Committee has worked hard to prepare this year's Homecoming week celebration,” UW Homecoming Co-Chair Karyn Christianson said. “We invite all students and alumni to show some school spirit while having a great time at all the week's activities.”

Homecoming 2009 will get started on Friday, Oct. 9 with the Kick-Off event at 12 p.m. on Library Mall. Students are invited to come enjoy free pizza, live performances and a cardboard barge race on Lake Mendota.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, UW student teams are invited to participate in Bucky’s Quest, which will take participants on a scavenger hunt around campus.

The festivities continue with the 24th annual Homecoming Charity Run/Walk on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. Registration is $20 for adults ($15 for UW students) and includes an official event t-shirt. A free, kids’ One-Mile Fun Run with Bucky will begin on Library Mall at 10:30 a.m. After the race, runners can join Bucky for a Wisconsin-style cookout, refreshments and awards. Participants can register online at uwhomecoming.com or on Library Mall on the day of the race.

Proceeds from Homecoming events benefit the Dean of Students Crisis Fund, which provides short-term loans to students with an emergency financial need.

In a new addition to this year’s Homecoming week, a program called “Wisconsin Rewind” will bring two notable alumni to campus to talk with students about the experiences they had after their tenure at UW-Madison. Tim Miller, a 2006 graduate, and Abigail David, who graduated in 1996, will also be honored during halftime of the Homecoming football game and meet distinguished alumni and faculty, and interact with current students on campus.

During the week leading up to the Homecoming football game, a variety of events and competitions will be held for students, including a blood drive, air band competition and an Onion AV Club's Jarringly Obscure Trivia game.

On Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m., all are invited to join the UW Spirit Squad, the UW Band, and, of course, UW’s own game show host, Bucky Badger, as they make their way on down State Street in the Homecoming Parade, followed by a fireworks display (weather permitting) at the Memorial Union Terrace.

The week concludes on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the Wisconsin Alumni Association's traditional Badger HUDDLE® pre-game tailgate at the UW Field House before the Badgers prepare to take on Iowa.

A full list of student and community Homecoming events and merchandise is available at uwhomecoming.com.

The UW Homecoming Committee is a nonprofit, student-run organization sponsored by WAA. The committee of 50 volunteer members plans a week of exciting Homecoming events for students, alumni and the Madison community.