Armstrong groundbreaking to highlight homecoming

A highlight of the institution’s homecoming celebration, with the theme of Zombie Apocalypse, will be the groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of the Armstrong Physical Education Building. The ceremony will be at the southwest corner of the building directly after Saturday’s football game between the Eagles and the Western New Mexico Mustangs. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

Excitement has been building for the Armstrong project, the first phase of which includes a new 2,100-seat sports arena to the south of the existing structure.

Homecoming organizers expect a lively participation from students and the greater community, despite the subjects of the theme.

“Zombies are popular these days, and with homecoming being so close to Halloween it will be a fun theme,” said Dr. Rick Koza, the CSC faculty member who leads the homecoming committee. “We expect to get a lot of involvement from the community.”

An annual highlight of homecoming is the parade, set for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. CSC’s chapter of the Blue Key honor society organizes the parade. Entries need not pre-register for the parade, but must be lined up along First Street before 9 a.m. to participate.

Area firefighters, who have battled numerous catastrophic wildfires in the region this summer and into the fall, have been chosen to serve as the parade marshals.

“We just can’t say enough about the work the firefighters have done to keep the region and community safe during these dry conditions,” Koza said. “We’re proud to recognize them during our homecoming celebration.”

As the parade ends at the corner of 10^th and Main, a variety of clubs and organizations will sponsor games and activities on the Dean’s Green. The event, which will have food, has been aptly named Carn Evil.

Leading up to the parade Saturday will be the annual Eagle 5k Run/Walk. Registration will be 7-7:45 a.m. at the corner of 12^th and Main streets.

Another way the community can get into homecoming is to show its CSC spirit in the annual contest for yard art and business art. People who want their entries judged may contact Laure Sinn, CSC student activities coordinator, at 308-432-6455. The judging will begin Thursday at noon.

The homecoming festivities will begin with the Cardinal Key honor society’s annual lighting of C Hill on Wednesday at 6 p.m. near the Lindeken Clock Tower. Thursday night will feature the annual Spirit Rally at 6:30 p.m. in Armstrong Gym. The rally will feature the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.

CSC also will honor seven successful CSC graduates with its Distinguished Alumni Award and Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Another 13 will be inducted to the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame. The honorees will be recognized during a luncheon in the Student Center on Saturday.

One of the groups gathering for homecoming is alumni of the “Golden Era” who graduated 50 years ago. Also meeting this week will be “The Survivors,” a group of alumni from the eras of the Great Depression and World War II.

A coffee for alumni, which is free of charge, will be in the Student Center at 8 a.m. Saturday.