University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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u lany perceived Homecoming as a time of overwhelming emotion that re- united old friends with old memories, to revisit those places that brought dormant feel- ings to life. Unfortunately, Homecoming ' 97, which took place from Oct. 30-Nov. 2, failed to spark that ultimate excitement that makes such nostalgic events memorable. To many students, it was merely another football weekend with a few other activities thrown in for excitement. Student apathy on campus is a huge problem, said Lara Dorjath, ISA sophomore and Homecoming ' 97 publicity chair. People didn ' t want to get involved in Homecom- ing, but we thought that the events were well-received by the students who attended, especially the Village on the Mall. According to Dorjath, this was the third homecoming weekend organized by the Student Alumni Council (SAC). Three years ago, SAC reinitiated Home- coming as an event, and has been involved all three years. The Homecoming ' 97 planning committee began last spring, and through Alumnus Magazine , e-mail notices and mailings to the alumni clubs, the group attempted to get as many members of the alumni as possible to return to their alma mater. However Dorjath commented, the University of Michigan has the largest living alumni base in the world, so it is not feasible for all alumni to return for the Homecoming game. Despite low student participation, there was ample atten- dance at many of the weekend ' s events. More than 100 students, fac- ulty and alumni ventured to the Power Center on Thursday for the first installment of homecoming festivities. Many members came to support friends and family wh o took part in the performance. Scott Dichter, a University Alumnus, came for his daughter Lisa, an LSA sophomore, who organized many of the activities through SAC. Dichter and his wife said that their main reason for coming this weekend was based on their daughter ' s involvement in the activities. We probably would have just come up earlier in the year when it was warmer. Yet in a university with an enrollment of more than 35,000, this low atten- dance was not a significant sample of the student body. I was surprised that they didn ' t have a better turn out, said Su- san Doherty, LSA first-year stu- dent. Members of the Michigan Marching Band began the evening attempting to en hance the Homecoming fever in the crowd with the always stirring rendition of ' Victors. The band performed their usual magic that sent chills down the spine audience members, and while the burst of emotion was all but too brief, the cro ' of few proved that school spirit had not died. Glen Williams, the Men ' s Hockey and Women ' s Fiel Hockey announcer, was the Master of Ceremonies for th ' evening. With his stellar voice and eclectic personality, th evening managed to pull through with smiles and cheers The dance team and the cheerleaders finished the evenin with stirring cheers that brought many members of the crowd to their feet. Instead of a parade, SAC organized a Village on the Mall. Student organiza tions created a miniature display of Ann Arbor store fronts. So instead of the pa rade traveling through Ann Arbor, you traveled through Ann Arbor, Dorjath saic Alpha Phi Omega was awarded the best display, and the group won $1000 fo their efforts. Dorjath said that the Village, as well as the Men ' s Glee Club concei on Saturday, both which took place outdoors, were well-received. More thai I 200 people showed up for the outdoor concert, she said. Had the weathe been better, the turnout would have been spectacular. On Saturday, more than 2,000 people met at the Indoor Track Building fo the Go Blue Brunch before Saturday ' s game. The brunch began the gam day with excitement as Alumni and students filled the Indoor Track Buildin to celebrate the 100th year of the Alumni Association with the Marchin Band and both current and alumni cheerleaders. The Brunch began 9:30 a.m., three hours before kickoff. The remainder of the weekend was filled with a plethora of Alumni festivities Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity sponsored five activities including the Alpha Kappa Barndance and a Friday evening talent show. Individual colleges, like the SNRE the School of Public Health, also hosted alumni activities of their own. The Minnesota game itself coincided with the long-standing tradition of th Little Brown Jug. The finest Wolverine team in years proceeded to overcome the Minne sota Gophers in a 24-3 rampage. While the idea of Homecoming seemed to have evade the campus community, the true spirit of the Wolverines endured to conquer overal We don ' t know the exact numbers [of alumni attendance], Dorjath said, howeve students might have noticed that the alumni section was louder than the students ' the game. By Kristin Brian Owen Alumni in attendance: No exact number was available, but 2,000 former students attended the Go Blue Brunch on Saturday; 200 people attended the Men ' s Glee Club Concert; more than 100 attended the Pep Rally Dates: Monday, Oct. 27- Sunday, Nov. 2 Programs planned: 14 There were four students involved in the planning process, and two adult advisers Homecoming as an event began again three years ago by the Student Alumni Council. SAC has been involved in the planning ever since. Weather: Rainy and cool Winner of Village on the Mall: Alpha Phi Omega Score of the football game: Michigan 24, Minnesota 3 M M M M M M M Source: Student Alumni Council 78 Special Events

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tlam Duritz, lead singer of Counting Crows, moves tlie crowd. Tin- Counting Crows toured to promote their latest album, Recovering the Satellite. which uv Clark brings a little bit of country twang to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival held in January, His latest album, Keepers , received rave reviews critics. ulti-talent Depan e Hi Auditorium, I ntnessth ;rou] perform fi hand. Special Events

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. X embers of Alpha Phi Omega accept their check for winning the best representation of an Ann Arbor store front for the Village on the Mall. The village was a replacement for the parade of re- cent years, and took place on Ingalls Mall. I he famous voice from Men ' s Hockey and Women ' s Field Hockey, Glen Williams, attempts to engage the crowd in Wolverine spirit at the Pep Rally. Head football coach Lloyd Carr, team co-captain Jon Jansen, as well as the cheerlead- ers, marching band and dance team brought the crowd to their feet. Peter Nielsen he Men ' s Glee Club charms the audience at their outdoor concert celebrating the spirit of their alma mater. Despite the rain and cold, the Glee Club was able to attract a crowd of 200. Brian Owen Brian Owen Homecoming 79