Even without a football team, The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Comets plan to put on an out-of-this-world homecoming spectacular next month that will feature everything from an astronaut who has flown into outer space to an earthbound mud volleyball tournament.
The university’s 2002 “Comet Power” homecoming, which begins Wednesday, Oct. 23, will honor UTD’s classes of 1972, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92 and ’97 and will include, among other things, a spirit rally and tailgate party and a parade with a scale model of the NASA space shuttle Orbiter – complete with its own astronaut, UTD alumnus Dr. Jim Reilly, who earned degrees from the university in 1977 (bachelor’s), 1987 (master’s) and 1995 (doctorate).
Also part of the four-day celebration, which will have a space/air travel and science theme, will be a lecture by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of one of the most famous aviators in history, Charles Lindbergh, a talk by Reilly, an alumni ring ceremony and presentation, a campus showcase that will highlight various schools and departments at UTD, a jazz concert, a family golf tournament and, to cap off the festivities, a semi-formal dance.
And for the more adventurous, there will be an intramural “oozeball,” (mud volleyball) competition on Oct. 23, with the UTD champions scheduled to face The University of Texas at Arlington’s oozeball team in a match that night at 6 p.m. An oozeball tournament is expected to become a staple at future UTD homecomings.
Other special events at this year’s homecoming will include the first-ever Comet Power Alumni Award of Achievement, which will be presented to an alumni who has distinguished himself or herself significantly since leaving UTD. The award will be bestowed at the reunion breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 26.
“We refuse to let the fact that we don’t have the traditional homecoming centerpiece – a football team – get in the way our revelry,” said Pat Yandell, UTD alumni relations officer. “At the same time, we find it refreshing that we are able to focus on our 40,000-plus alumni and showcase the many areas of academic excellence at UTD.”
UTD’s homecoming will run from Oct. 23 to 26, with most of the major events scheduled for that Friday night and Saturday. Some activities may require advanced registration and include a nominal fee. See the attached schedule for a complete list of all activities and the times, dates and locations where they will be held. Please contact Yandell at (972) 883-4332 for additional information.