“Sacks, Dawgs and Rock ‘n’ Roll,” the theme of this year’s Homecoming, will bring SIU alumni and current students together for a week of school-oriented events.

Homecoming week starts Tuesday and runs through Saturday, with the football game concluding the events.

Dustin Davis, executive director of the Student Programming Council, said homecoming provides a chance for students to meet alumni for storytelling and tailgating.

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“It usually is a pretty good time to build relationships with alumni,” Davis said.

Davis said many of the events this week will entertain students, alumni and residents in addition to celebrating the university. The main events include Homecoming court elections held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Student Center and 3 to 7 p.m. in the Recreation Center. Also, the parade will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m., and the football game will start at 1:30 p.m. Parade floats will have a rock ‘n’ roll theme.

University tradition gives fraternities and sororities one week during the year to host events. Alpha Phi Alpha has traditionally been given Homecoming week.

Alpha Phi Alpha will host the 35th annual Miss Eboness pageant Saturday at 7 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium. Cergio Brown, vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said seven black women will be judged on how well they perform in categories such as talent, dancing, singing and intellect. The winner will be named the next Miss Eboness. The event costs $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

“It’s an event where we just allow black women to showcase their talents,” he said.

Brown also said the fraternity will host a step show Friday at 7 p.m. at the Carbondale Middle School. Greek organizations from different schools come every year to compete in the step show, which involves stomping and clapping in a form similar to a dance. The show has drawn a large crowd in the past. Tickets cost $8 at the Student Center and $10 at the door.

The SIU Alumni Association tent will set up Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside McAndrew Stadium and will provide students a chance to have a good time while mingling with alumni, said Brent Zelten of Alumni Services. He said students will be able to check out the Alumni Association and enjoy free food and drinks.

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“We are hoping to get a lot of people and have a good time,” he said.

Davis said one of the biggest goals of Homecoming is to get students excited about their school and to build relationships with alumni.

“SPC just wants to see students displaying their school spirit and getting involved in Homecoming events,” he said.

Ryan Rendleman can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 273 or [email protected].