Edinboro Homecoming 2012

The  heathery hues of distant hills emerge as the sun burns off the morning fog.  October First has arrived with all the color, warmth, and, yes, cool rains, of the Fall season.  Our walks on the maple lined paths of Edinboro University are cheered by the brilliant red leaves of one tree in contrast to the orange or yellow of another.  At week’s end, Alumni will return to campus to enjoy one of the great days of Edinboro:  Homecoming.

Many events are planned to suit the interests of a variety of people from the traditional to the contemporary.  Highlights of Friday and Saturday’s activities can be found here.  On Friday, I plan to play in the tennis tournament with a much more capable partner than I deserve, and attend the Class Reunion and Affinity Group celebrations later in the day.  Saturday, my wife and I will gather with friends and enjoy the Tartan Brunch, followed by the annual Homecoming Parade.  Hopefully this year it will be back up to it’s old standards.  The traditional Homecoming football game is at 2:00 p.m.

Erie County bragging rights will be up for grabs when a meeting of football teams with proud traditions takes place in Sox Harrison Stadium on the campus of Edinboro University.  The Fighting Scot’s take on local rivals, the Gannon Golden Knights, and the game should prove to be hard fought and exciting to watch.  Gannon (1-4) has lost to Slippery Rock, Clarion, and most recently to No. 10 Bloomsburg.  The Scot’s (2-2) have won two away games in a row and will come home to keep their streak alive.

Games, marching bands, celebrations, and cheering people of all ages will bring Edinboro to life this weekend in a setting of matchless Fall colors.

Edinboro Sports Dome 3

Here are a couple of pictures of the Edinboro Sports Dome from different angles. The second picture shows the attached building, that will, I assume, be used as an entrance. Click on the photos to see a larger version that gives a better idea of the magnitude of this dome.

As an Athletic Center, the dome will be used for track, soccer, lacrosse, football, and other sports. Some of us hope tennis will be one of the sports able to use the dome. In addition, campus events such as Graduation will be held in this heated and air-conditioned structure. The dome's usefulness will probably makeup for this dreary looking white elephant,er, dome.

Edinboro Sports Dome 2

T The Edinboro University Sports Dome is now up. This picture shows the dome nearly inflated. No other structure has changed the campus view as dramatically. Notice, for instance, that McComb Fieldhouse is not visible.

Edinboro Fighting Scot Statue

Why haven't we seen the statue of the Edinboro Fighting Scot? Inquiring minds want to know.

Edinboro Homecoming: The Parade

As reported previously, the annual homecoming parade had a new route this year. My wife and I walked to the greens behind McComb Fieldhouse for the President’s Brunch on the Lawn. As usual we greeted old friends and acquaintances and enjoyed a brunch of sweet roles, fruit, and scrambled eggs. Fortunately, the day was perfect for the event, sunny, with a touch of Autumn after the first frost of the season. Following brunch, we walked to the west side of Mallory Lake and sat on a bench facing the lake that has a full panoramic view of the campus and parade route. A small, single engine plane circled overhead straining for a view of the event, and looking for attention. People lined the campus loop at predictable spots: the corners and turns, next to the bridge over the campus stream, and in front of favorite buildings. A good crowd was on hand.

The parade started and it was fascinating to watch from a distance with an observer’s vantage point. The Color Guard led the event follow by the president’s vehicle, and the Edinboro University Marching Band. The roar of the Zem Zem motorcycles was missing, but the acrobatic antics of the girl’s gymnastic class doing cartwheels down the street was fascinating to watch. Soon, the cars with homecoming king and queen appeared, the alumni band showed their stuff, the comic book themed floats appeared, the General McLane Band dazzled, and the parade carried on with color and noise.



Before the parade ended, we decided to walk downtown along the old parade route to see how much different things were. The quiet emptiness was startling to one used to the crowded byways, but most unusual was the lack of business at the bars and the noticeably un-rowdy streets.

The community got what they wanted, less cost and responsibility. Downtown, the merchants will probably still do a good day’s business. As for Edinboro University, the spacious and beautiful campus became the focus of the event. Alumni will have their say, but my guess is that this was the first of many campus loop parades to come.

Edinboro Homecoming

One of the great events of each year in Edinboro is EUP's Homecoming parade and football game. This year, for the first time since I've been here, the parade will not wind it's way through the Boro, but will travel the campus loop instead. It will be interesting to see how this break with tradition will go over with people who love to celebrate in town. I was looking forward to participating in the parade as part of the Zem Zem Brass Band, however, the Shriners have cancelled their participation in the parade. In any event, the activities will be a lot closer to home for us. A schedule of homecoming events is here.

And, for the first time, the university has a you tube announcement that can be seen by clicking here.