Ball State Homecoming Student and Alumni Participation Increases

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State University Homecoming activities, culminating with the undefeated Cardinals' 41-20 win over Kent State, generated record attendance.

"The success of Ball State's Homecoming is counter to the national trends of declining homecoming participation as indicated by the Council of Alumni Association Executives," says Edwin Shipley, executive director of the Ball State University Alumni Association.

On Saturday, September 27, 2008, 20,437 spectators filled Scheumann Stadium, including 8,149 Ball State students. Prior to the game, the Ball State University Alumni Association hosted a pre-game rally with a record 909 alumni and friends in attendance.

Throughout Homecoming week, students showed their Ball State pride. Air Jam, a lip-sync competition which has become one of the most popular Homecoming activities, was sold out with 3,309 in attendance. The Talent Search attracted its largest crowd in several years with 1,109 attending. A crowd of 2,101 gathered for the Bed Race, a tradition since 1980.

"Our 82nd Homecoming celebration at Ball State was a resounding success by all measures," Shipley says. "Our football team continued its undefeated season; we had excellent participation and involvement at all our alumni events. Additionally, the weeklong events for faculty/staff, students, and the community were very well attended.

Shipley acknowledges the 2008 Homecoming Steering Committee, comprised of 16 student chairmen and four BSUAA staff members, for making Ball State Homecoming 2008 a success.

Leading this year's committee as General Chairman was Alexandra Garritano, a senior public relations major from Lowell, Indiana. "The week itself started relatively early in comparison to past Homecomings, but this did not hinder campus and community participation," Garritano says. "We saw increased attendance at almost every event, especially at Saturday's events. Everything could not have been possible without the dedication and hard work from the entire committee. The 15 members I worked with pushed the limits and were successful in all they did."

Congratulations also went to this year's alumni award recipients who were honored at the Alumni Awards Dinner on September 26. Myra Borshoff Cook, '69; Aaron B. Floyd, '60; and Michael D. McDaniel, '73MPA79, were presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Alumni Association's highest recognition. Benny Award recipients: Brenda S. Cox, '84; David E. Land, '69MA74EdS82; Mark N. Popovich, '63MA68; and Charlotte Shepperd, '68MA75, were recognized for their service to the university and the Alumni Association. Rebecca Baer, '99MBA05; Lisa Elkins, '98; Tom Gayda, '98; Tadd Miller, '98; Rachel Minnery, '98; Adam Mow, '99; Tiffany Westfall, '03MBA04, received the Graduate of the Last Decade Award.

For more information about Ball State University Homecoming 2008, visit:www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming <http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming><http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming> . For a link to the Homecoming images, visit:www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming/photos <http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming/photos><http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming/photos> .

Source: BSU News Center

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