Southern Miss Ready for Homecoming 2019

Tue, 10/01/2019 - 03:12pm | By: David Tisdale

A “Golden Family Reunion” is the theme for The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) 2019 Homecoming, when alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the university join to celebrate being of Golden Eagle stock. 

With a lineup of activities that includes a pep rally and parade; outstanding music from the Pride of Mississippi; tailgating; organization reunions; induction of the newest members of the Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame; and a Conference USA football showdown between the Golden Eagles and the Mean Green of the University of North Texas, there will be something for everyone throughout the week of Oct. 6-12.

“Homecoming is always a special time for the Southern Miss family, and this year is no exception. It provides a great opportunity for us to honor those who have left the institution and experienced great success in their personal and professional lives, and a time to thank those who have continued to invest in our alma mater,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Alumni Association. “We’re excited to welcome alumni and fans to Hattiesburg to celebrate one of our most long-standing traditions.”

Tierra Cooper, a junior biological sciences major from Laurel, Miss. who is serving as USM’s Student Director for Homecoming, believes the occasion is “a special opportunity for the Southern Miss family to fellowship with Golden Eagles from the past and present, while making memories to last a lifetime.”

“We look forward to welcoming back our alumni with open arms and warm smiles, all the while celebrating our university’s rich history and promising future,” Cooper said.

Highlights of USM Homecoming 2019 include:

Thursday, Oct. 10

*Dixie Darling Alumnae Social Event
6:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Hattiesburg; for information, visit http://www.dixiedarlingalumnaeassociation.org/homecoming-reunion.html.

Friday, Oct. 11

*Student Government Association (SGA) “Fountain Sit”
11:30 a.m., Shoemaker Square, Hattiesburg campus

*SGA Homecoming Court Presentation and pep rally at Live At Five
5 p.m., Town Square Park, downtown Hattiesburg

*Dixie Darling Alumnae Practice Session and reception
1 – 5:30 p.m., practice session, St. Thomas Catholic Church and Pride Field; reception to follow at the Camellia House from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.dixiedarlingalumnaeassociation.org/homecoming-reunion.html.

*21st annual Alumni Homecoming Golf Tournament
8:30 a.m., Hattiesburg Country Club. Register at https://www.southernmissalumni.com/s/995/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=995&gid=1&pgid=2448&cid=4238&ecid=4238.

*Black Alumni Gala
7 p.m., Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg; visit https://www.blackalumnigala.com/.

*Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet
6:30 p.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms

Saturday, Oct. 12

*24th annual USM Homecoming 5K
Registration, 7-8 a.m., Payne Center, Hattiesburg campus; race begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MS/Hattiesburg/22ndAnnualHomecoming5k?remMeAttempt

*SGA Homecoming Parade, 10 a.m. (Travelling east down Hardy Street from the Midtown Shopping Center to the USM Hattiesburg campus main entrance)
 
*Southern Miss Alumni Association Annual Awards Lunch & Business Meeting
Noon, Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms

*Dixie Darling Tailgate
Immediately following the homecoming parade; for more information, visit http://www.dixiedarlingalumnaeassociation.org/homecoming-reunion.html.

*Spirit Park LIVE
1-3 p.m. Spirit Park, featuring food trucks and Junior Eagle Funland, with its interactive games, inflatables and activities for fans 12 and under; 2:30 p.m., Countdown to Kick Off Show with Tom Colt on Rock 104.5; 3 p.m., live concert featuring Adam Doleac.

*Southern Miss Alumni Association Membership Appreciation Tailgate
3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Ogletree House, Hattiesburg campus; register in advance at https://www.southernmissalumni.com/s/995/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=995&gid=1&pgid=2460&cid=4258&ecid=4258.

*Honors College pregame tailgate
3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Honor House, Hattiesburg campus

*Eagle Walk
4 p.m., Hattiesburg campus, featuring members of the USM football team and coaches, Dixie Darlings, cheerleaders and Pride of Mississippi Marching Band

*USM vs. University of North Texas, homecoming football game
6 p.m. kickoff at M.M. Roberts Football Stadium, “The Rock”; for ticket information, contact the USM Ticket Office at 601.266.5418.

For more information about USM 2019 homecoming, contact the USM Alumni Association at alumniFREEMississippi.