Homecoming at Florida State University has always been an exciting time for alumni to return to campus and join current students in celebration of an extraordinary university and its unconquered spirit, and soon they’ll do it again during Homecoming 2008: "Unconquered Legacy."
Events planned for this year’s FSU Homecoming Week are expected to provide the biggest and best celebration yet, all leading up to the Homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 15, when the Seminoles take on the Eagles of Boston College at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Homecoming Parade, set to start at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, will follow a different route than in 2007. It will begin at the corner of Call and Adams Streets, proceed south on Adams Street, turn west (right) onto College Avenue, and conclude at the FSU campus in front of the Westcott Building (corner of College Avenue and Copeland Street). The parade — which is expected to include one or more special "green technology" vehicles — will feature an array of floats and participants from more than 100 campus organizations and many community groups. Walter Dix, legendary former FSU sprinter and winner of two bronze medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics, will serve as the Parade Grand Marshal. This year’s Faculty Marshal is Stanley E. Gontarski, the 2008-2009 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of English. On hand, as always, will be Renegade, Osceola, FSU cheerleaders, the candidates for Chief and Princess, and the Marching Chiefs.
FSU Student Government Association (SGA)-sponsored Homecoming events comprise a spirited lead-up to game day that also will include service to the Tallahassee community. On Nov. 14 the focus will be on the Homecoming Parade, and that evening, PowWow will present top comedian Jimmy Fallon.
A special black football uniform will highlight Florida State University’s salute to the Seminole Tribe of Florida at the FSU vs. Boston College Homecoming football game. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in black to help spread Seminole spirit.
The special tribute uniform will be all black with garnet numbers and gold trimming, and feature the word "unconquered" on one pants leg and "Seminoles " on the other. Members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida are known as "the unconquered people" because of their long history of overcoming adversity. Dating back to the early 1800s, they endured three wars with the U.S. government, resisted numerous efforts to relocate them to federal reservations in the West, and ultimately made their home in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments, the Florida Everglades. That they have not only survived, but thrived — all while maintaining their fierce independence and rich culture — is a tribute to their courage and perseverance. Their indomitable spirit is one that Florida State strives to emulate in all of its endeavors. The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s flag uses the colors red, yellow, white and black.
"I think the players will be excited about the uniforms," said Head Coach Bobby Bowden. "Players tend to like it when you do something different and they really do look nice. I like the fact that it pays direct tribute to the Seminole people. We intend to keep this a very special uniform and will not wear it more than once a season and maybe not at all in some years."
The following list includes FSU Homecoming’s major events. For information and a schedule on all SGA-sponsored Homecoming activities, visit homecoming.fsu.edu. Additional information also is available on the FSU Alumni Association Web site at www.alumni.fsu.edu.
- Homecoming Parade — Friday, Nov. 14, beginning at 2 p.m. The parade (which may include one or more green-technology vehicles) will feature the usual colorful array of floats and participants from campus and community groups and, of course, Renegade, Osceola, FSU cheerleaders, the candidates for Chief and Princess and the Marching Chiefs. Olympic bronze medalist Dix is this year’s Parade Grand Marshal, and Gontarski, the 2008-2009 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of English, is the Faculty Marshal.
- The Clock and Seal Leadership Banquet — Friday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center prior to PowWow. The annual homecoming dinner that celebrates leadership, devotion and service to FSU has featured past speakers such as Crist, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and FSU All-American Marvin Jones. This year’s keynote speaker is former Florida Speaker of the House Allan Bense. Reservations are required by Nov. 10; tickets are $40 per person or $300 for a table for eight. E-mail Mike Fischer, clockandseal@burningspear.org, to R.S.V.P. and obtain a ticket request form.
- PowWow — Friday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Open to students, alumni, friends, fans and the community at large. FSU’s Student Government Association sponsors the annual evening of entertainment and laughter — which dates back to 1948 — and this year’s headlining comedian is Jimmy Fallon. NOTE: Performance may contain explicit language; discretion is advised. Advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster, (850) 322-3602, or the Civic Center Box Office, (850) 222-0400. Costs are $16.75 for FSU students with an FSUID or $26.50 for non-students. For more information, go to powwow.fsu.edu or call Lori Vaughn at (850) 644-0036.
- FSU Panama City Campus 19th Annual ‘Nole Fest — Friday, Nov. 14, beginning at 6 p.m. This homecoming tradition is geared to the entire family and includes family-friendly entertainment, live music and great food. The Panama City campus event also includes the lighting of the bonfire and kickoff of the 20th annual Torch Run. ‘Nole Fest is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Russell Kinslow, alumni affairs coordinator for FSU’s Panama City campus, at (850) 770-2158 or rkinslow@pc.fsu.edu.
- Alumni Association’s Homecoming Awards Breakfast — Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Oglesby Union Ballrooms, beginning at 9 a.m. (doors open at 8:30). The event will honor the distinguished winners of the FSU Alumni Association’s Bernard F. Sliger Award and Parade Grand Marshal title; the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Honor Society’s "Grads Made Good"; and the Ross Oglesby Award, bestowed by Garnet and Gold Key, a student-run leadership honor society. Tickets ($10 per person) are required and must be purchased by Nov. 10 either online — go to the Alumni Association Web site at alumni.fsu.edu and follow the links — or by contacting Megan Barnes at (850) 645-8133 or mbarnes@alumni.fsu.edu.
- FSU Circle of ODK National Leadership Honor Society Initiation Ceremony — Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Oglesby Union Ballroom, immediately after the Alumni Association’s Homecoming Awards Breakfast. ODK will conduct a brief initiation ceremony, which is free of charge, and all current, alumni, and faculty ODK initiates are invited to attend. To learn more about the ODK initiation ceremony that follows the Homecoming Awards Breakfast, contact Mark Zeigler at (850) 644-0561 or zeiglermark@gmail.com.
- Homecoming game: FSU vs. Boston College — Saturday, Nov. 15 (kickoff time TBA). The FSU Seminoles will take on Boston College’s Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium.