The Color My College 5K starts with a pre-party at noon, then the runners head for the starting line at 1 p.m. for 3.1 miles of Marshall Kelly Green and White. Runners are showered with colored (green and white) powder, made of food-grade corn starch, at stations along the run.The run begins at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. After the run, there will be an after-party, which will feature music, contests, prizes and even more color.
Among the other new activities are a Thundering pomp competition, penny wars, canned food art, So MU think you can dance, yell like hell, burn shirt, a pep rally, bonfire, Rock The Rec and Alumni after-party (after the football game).
Here is a list of events:
Sunday Oct. 18
Color My College 5K, 1 p.m. – The Color My College 5K puts a new twist on the color run trend that is sweeping the nation by coming to Huntington and using the Kelly green and white.
Monday, Oct. 19
Office decoration, all week – All campus offices are asked to decorate using the “Blast from the past” theme. The offices will be judged on Thursday and prizes will be awarded at the Friday, Oct. 23, Picnic on the Plaza. Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories. Visit www.HerdAlum.com for more information.
Thundering Pomp Competition, all week – Student organizations will be asked to create a “pomp” piece to be used in the homecoming parade float. Judging will take place Thursday, Oct. 22.
Penny wars, all week – Student organizations with the most pennies in their jars will win their respective categories. The winning organization will receive half of the money collected, the other half will be donated.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Canned Food Art, noon – Student organizations will be tasked with building a self-sustaining structure out of canned food related to the “Blast from the Past” theme.
Unity Walk, 5 p.m. – All students, teams, organizations, residence halls, faculty, staff and community members are invited to walk the campus perimeter and to show their Marshall pride.
Meet the Court, 6:30 p.m. – Meet the candidates for Mr. and Miss Marshall. Voting begins immediately following the Unity Walk.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
So MU Think You Can Dance, Noon – Show off your sweet 1980s dance moves on the Memorial Student Center plaza.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Homecoming car bash, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Take out your frustration in a healthy way by joining WMUL-FM for its annual homecoming car bash on Buskirk Field.
Homecoming parade, 6:30 p.m. – Celebrate Marshall University during the annual homecoming parade. Floats, marching bands and everything you love about parades will fill the air, this time under the lights on Thursday night.
Yell Like Hell, 6:30 p.m. – Student organizations participating in the parade show their pride and see which group has the most spirit.
The Burn Shirt, Pep Rally and bonfire, following parade. – Students can bring shirts from rival schools to be burned in a bonfire, followed by a pep rally with players and coaches.
Rock The Rec, 10 to 11 p.m. – Another new tradition. Marshall’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will be introduced to the MU student body during a new event at the Marshall Recreation Center. The first 500 students receive a free limited edition Rock The Rec T-shirt and a free pizza. There also will be cash prizes and more, and a couple of lucky student will get a chance to make a half-court shot and win a car. Admission to Rock The Rec is free to all students.
Friday, Oct. 23
Picnic on the Plaza, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Marshall’s largest and most exciting on-campus homecoming party returns as the Marshall University Alumni Association will be throwing a party with free food, drinks, music and lots of fun.
Parents & Family Weekend Wine Reception, 4 to 5:30 p.m. – Post-registration wine reception and family photos in the rotunda of Foundation Hall, home of the Erickson Alumni Center.
Parents & Family Weekend Family Night, 5:30 p.m. – Join us for a special tailgate in the Kroger parking lot across from the Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex, leading up to a 7 p.m. men’s soccer game at the stadium against the University of New Mexico.
Black Alumni Reception, 7:30 p.m. – Meet and greet reception at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.
Alumni Concert Gala, 7:30 p.m. – Join us for a special performance at Smith Music Hall for all alumni of the Marching thunder.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Alum Run, 8 a.m. – Join your fellow alums on a run from Pullman Square to campus with multiple age groups.
MU Alumni Tailgate, 11 a.m. – Tailgate with the Marshall University Alumni Association. Food, drinks, music and fun on Harless Field, which is located next to Harless Dining Hall, leading up to the homecoming football game.
Homecoming game vs. North Texas, 3:30 p.m. – The Thundering Herd, off to a 5-1 start heading into Saturday’s noon game at Florida Atlantic, battles the Mean Green of North Texas in Conference USA action at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Alumni after-party after the game, 9 p.m. – Join the Young Alumni Committee as they continue the homecoming weekend celebration after the game. All Marshall University alumni are invited to attend. The Alumni after-party will take place in the banquet room of The Union Pub and Grill in downtown Huntington.
Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a special edition homecoming 2015 glass for $10 which will include a drink ticket. Those who aren’t currently active members of the Alumni Association can pay $20 for the commemorative glass, a drink ticket and a one-year membership. Visit www.herdalum.com for more information.
Homecoming Step Show, after the game – Annual step show at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center to wrap up homecoming week.
Black Alumni Dinner and Dance, 9 p.m. – Dinner and dance with a theme of “Jeans & Bling” at the Memorial Student Center. Room BE 5 on the lower level.