Alumni & Public Homecoming Events

Friday, Oct. 21, 2011

8:30 a.m. -- Shell Finish Line/Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament
The 2011 Homecoming Golf Tournament will take place at the Hattiesburg Country Club. All proceeds from the tournament go toward the Pierce Legacy Scholarship Endowment to provide scholarships for children and grandchildren of alumni. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Following the tournament, a lunch catered by Strick's will be served. The cost is $150 per player and includes golf, tee gift, beverages, lunch, two mulligans, entry into the 5/5/5 and the putting contest. For more information, contact Jennifer Payne at 601.266.4095 or Jennifer.L.Payne@usm.edu, or Dane Reiter at 601.266.4859 or Kristopher.Reiter@usm.edu.

10 a.m. -- Dixie Darling Alumni Beginners Practice
New Dixie Darling alumni will meet at the Payne Center on basketball courts 3 and 4 to prepare for Homecoming weekend activities. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at 228.383.0740 or melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.

11:30 a.m. -- Dixie Darling Lunch
The Dixie Darlings will meet at the Power House for lunch following the beginners' practice session. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at 228.383.0740 or melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Fedora Football Friday Luncheon
Join head football coach Larry Fedora in the Thad Cochran Center Ballroom for a pre-game luncheon. For more information, contact the Athletic Department at 601.266.5017.

1-5 p.m. -- Dixie Darling Alumni Registration and Practice
Registration for Dixie Darling Homecoming events will take place in the Payne Center on basketball courts 3 and 4. Following registration, Dixie Darlings alumni will practice from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., also in the Payne Center. Following the alumni practice, Dixie Darlings will then practice with current DDs on Pride Field, from 3:15-5 p.m. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at 228.383.0740 or melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.

4-5 p.m. -- Alumni Association Minority Constituent Society Community Service Event
For the fourth year the Minority Constituent Society will be volunteering at the Hattiesburg Boys and Girls Club. The group is looking for alumni and student volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kimberly Fountain at minorityconstituentsociety@southernmissalumni.com.

6 p.m. -- 2011 Economic Development Alumni Homecoming Reunion Reception
A reception will be held on the 2nd floor of the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.  Dress will be game attire. There will be food, music, beverages, door prizes and a silent auction fund-raising event to go toward student scholarships. To RSVP, email Sherry Parker by October 10 at Sherry.Parker@usm.edu.

6:30 p.m. -- Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony
The Southern Miss Alumni Association will induct seven outstanding alumni into the Hall of Fame. The banquet and ceremony will be held in the Grand Ballroom in the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus. For tickets or more information, contact Rene Trigg at 601.266.5013 or rene.trigg@usm.edu.

7 p.m. -- Dixie Darling Reunion Dinner
The Dixie Darling Alumni will hold a reunion dinner at Southern Oaks House and Gardens. Dress is cocktail / casual attire. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at 228.383.0740 or melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.

7 p.m. -- Friday Night at the Fountain
Friday Night at the Fountain kicks off with a band at 7 p.m. on the Centennial Green. There will be food at 6 p.m., the band will play from 7 to 9 p.m., and the pep rally will begin at 9 p.m. immediately following the band. For questions or more information, contact Student Activities at 601.266.5048.

Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

8 a.m. -- 16th Annual Homecoming Eagle 5K Run
Pre-registration for the run is $15 and must be received by Oct. 14. Race day registration is $20. Children ages 13 and younger may enter for $12 by October 14 and $15 on race day. Sponsorship levels are available for T-shirt and race day advertising. Race-day registration will take place in the parking lot behind the Trent Lott Center. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the race start is set for 8 a.m. The 5K is sponsored by the Southern Miss Student Sports Medicine Association, Kinesiotherapy Club and Exercise Physiology Club. For more information, contact Makayla Merritt at 601.266.6058.

10 a.m. -- Homecoming Parade
The 2011 Homecoming Parade returns to downtown Hattiesburg. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Hattiesburg Library. After making a loop through downtown, the parade will end back at the library. For general questions or for information on entering a float, contact Jennifer Payne at 601.266.4095 or jennifer.l.payne@usm.edu.

Noon -- Annual Alumni Association Awards Lunch and Business Meeting
The Alumni Association will recognize alumni who have given service to their alma mater at this Homecoming day lunch. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013 or rene.trigg@usm.edu.

3-5 p.m. -- Luckyday Foundation Alumni Tailgate
The Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholars Program will have a tailgate event on the lawn in front of Kennard-Washington Hall. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/luckyday. 

3:45 p.m. -- Dixie Darling / Dixie Darling Alumni Group Photo
All current Dixie Darlings will take a group photo in front of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building. Following the picture, the Dixie Darling alumni will join current members for a group photo, also at the Administration Building. After the picture, the Dixie Darlings will march into the stadium.

4-6 p.m. -- WUSM Tailgate Concert Series
WUSM Roots Radio 88.5 kicks off the game with a free concert featuring Grayson Capps. The concert will take place on the Centennial Green located at the site of the old University Commons three hours prior to kickoff. For more information, contact Lesley Sanders-Wood at 601.266.5188.

4-7 p.m. -- 2011 Economic Development Alumni Homecoming Reunion Tailgate
Economic Development will host all alumni at a tailgate event at the northeast corner of Athletics building. This will be a community potluck with food, drink, fun, and plenty of Southern Miss spirit. To RSVP for this event, email Sherry Parker by October 10 at Sherry.Parker@usm.edu.

5 p.m. -- Eagle Walk
Join President Saunders, The Pride, cheerleaders, and Seymour as the football team heads to the locker room. The Eagle Walk begins on West Memorial Drive. For more information, contact the Athletic Department at 601.266.5017.

7 p.m. -- SMU at Southern Miss
Southern Methodist visits The Rock. For tickets or more information, contact the ticket office at 800.844.TICK. There will be a 5th Quarter concert by The Pride following the game.