Southern Arkansas University Hosts Centennial Homecoming

It's been 100 years in the making as Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark., prepares for a special homecoming.The  university will celebrate with “100 Years of Homecoming” throughout the upcoming week, culminating in Saturday’s Mulegating, crowning of the king and queen, a Mulerider Football game and a Baseball Championship Ring Ceremony.

SAU’s campus in Magnolia is a buzz with energy this year as SAU became the fastest growing university in Arkansas. And this homecoming week is expected to thrive off that excitement. Students will have daily homecoming-related activities, including a 6PM Monday pep-rally in the Greek Theatre, a Tuesday night drive-in movie at the Reynold's Center parking lot, and the popular Great SAU Campout and Bonfire Friday night.

Other weekday events include the Rankin College of Business’ third annual “Light for the Fight” ceremony at 7:30PM Monday. SAU’s new Tuesday night Team Study initiative will host a centralized celebration and study session in the Reynolds Center Grand Hall. Also, the 32^nd annual Murphy Lecture will feature CNN’s Christine Romans at 10:30AM Thursday in Harton Theatre.

The homecoming weekend events are as follows:

Friday, October 9

Alumni Golf Tournament – Magnolia Country Club            8AM tee off; noon lunch

Hall of Fame Dinner – Reynolds Center Grand Hall            6:30PM

Black Alumni Reception – International Global Center       8PM

For more info, call Cledis Stuart at 870-235-4046.

Saturday, October 10 – Homecoming

100 Years Royalty Brunch – Reynolds Center Grand Hall  11AM

Mulegating on the Ridge – Welcome Center                       All Day

Hamburger Lunch served by Peoples Bank                        11AM

Meet and Greet for Class Reunions for ’65, ’75, ’85, ’95, ’05

Pep Rally                                                                            1PM

Court Presentation and Crowning of King and Queen        2PM

Wilkins Stadium

SAU Mulerider Football vs. Oklahoma Baptist                   2:30PM

Wilkins Stadium

Announcement of Hall of Fame Inductees                         Halftime

Mulerider Baseball Ring Ceremony – Walker Stadium      30 mins. after football game

Concert: Southern Harmony – Welcome Center                Post Game

Greek Step Show – W.T. Watson Gym                              7PM

According to “The Mulerider School’s Centennial History,” the first homecoming football game in 1915 saw a “hard-won, 7-0 victory” for SAU, then called the Third District Agriculture School (TDAS). The “Magnolia Aggies,” which became Muleriders in the early 1920s, defeated the Boll Weevils on a rainy Thanksgiving Day. That evening, alumni and the visiting team shared a banquet with students at the dining hall.

For more information about SAU’s “100 Years of Homecoming,” visit its website.