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Homecoming Returns to Spread Comet Spirit with Lineup of Events

Homecoming court at UT Dallas 2014

Students can participate in some lighthearted competition and meet the basketball teams, Power Dancers and Cheerleaders during the Spirit Rally on Thursday at 7 p.m. See the event schedule.

UT Dallas students will display plenty of Comet spirit as they welcome alumni back to campus next week during Homecoming 2015.

Organizers for the 22nd annual event have planned a coronation dance and casino, parade and picnic, late-night float building, cardboard boat races, a 5K run, and a tailgating event before the men’s and women’s basketball games.

“We are very excited about this year’s events. Homecoming will be a time for fun, Comet pride, making memories and camaraderie among the entire campus community as well as our alumni,” said Tineil Lewis, assistant director of student programs.  

Homecoming will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday with a lunchtime party at the Plinth featuring music, food, games and prizes. Participants are asked to wear orange or green.

This year’s Homecoming will again feature the “car bash” Thursday at Chess Plaza, where students and alumni will smash and bash an old car to show how the Comets will defeat their basketball opponents.

Almost 270 people have registered for the Wednesday evening 5K run and will sport glow-in-the-dark gear for the race.

Homecoming 2015 logo

Homecoming Schedule
and Photo Contest

Visit utdallas.edu/homecoming for the full list of Homecoming events. Follow and contribute Homecoming happenings on social media by using #utdhc.

                               Contest rules

  1. Follow @Official_Temoc on Instagram to see photos posted by Temoc and fellow students.
     
  2. Take photos of any Homecoming event and post on social media using #CreativeComets.
     
  3. Top three winners will receive gift cards to the UTD Bookstore.

The UT Dallas Power Dancers and Cheerleaders, joined by the UT Dallas Pep Band, will lead the crowd at the Thursday evening Spirit Rally.

Approximately 67 groups have registered for the Homecoming Parade, which begins at noon Friday along Rutford Avenue. The Pep Band will provide live music for the parade, which will feature custom-designed floats and a Parade of Flags from the 100 countries represented in the UT Dallas student body. During the parade, all traffic, Comet Cabs and Comet Cruiser buses will be detoured from the route. For more details about the detours, click here.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta contest and a Comedy Night at the Pub will be held Friday.

The Saturday tailgate party will feature music, games and giveaways. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own tailgate fixings. Beverages will be provided.

“A Night in Atlantic City” is the theme for the Saturday coronation dance and casino.

Homecoming gives alumni an opportunity to see the recent changes that have taken place at the University, said Melinda Mendoza-Ellis, senior director of Alumni Relations.

“We are undergoing a transformation at UT Dallas, and there is no better time than Homecoming to show off those innovative changes,” she said. “UTD alumni are a strong and powerful group, and we now have a campus that matches their spirit and passion.”

Comet Cabs, Cruiser Will Be Rerouted During Parade

The UT Dallas Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. During this time, all traffic, Comet Cabs and Comet Cruiser buses will be detoured due to the parade route on Rutford Avenue.

Buses will be unloading and picking up passengers on campus at Drive H. Passengers may also board the buses along Waterview Parkway and Synergy Park Boulevard, but the 883 West (McCallum) route will not be serving WSTC during this time. Please review the schedule and consider taking an earlier bus.

All Comet Cab routes that run the length of Rutford will be suspended during the parade. This includes the Lot T to Activity Center route and the University Commons route. The University Village and Lot U to Activity Center routes will be modified, and the McDermott route will not be affected.

Additionally, Drivers needing access to Parking Structure 3 or Lot R during this time should use the Facilities Way entrance. The entrance to Lot T will remain open.

Please allow extra time to reach your destination on this day. Roads will reopen and services will return to their normal schedules immediately after the conclusion of the parade.

Media Contact: The Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].

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