Patrick Owlett

Homecomings sees launch of new traditions

For this year's annual Homecomings celebrations, new traditions have been added to the event in an effort to increase participation by both alumni as well as current students. The Alumni Association worked in conjunction with University Programs Council, the Athletics Association and class councils to create more festivities, including a parade, a Young Alumni event for recent University alumni, a meeting among current University fourth-year students and young alumni, and the Brad Paisley concert at the John Paul Jones arena. Director of Alumni Affairs Wayne Cozart said he has high expectations for alumni attendance at this year's homecoming events. "We really are hoping to [increase] the number of young alumni attended by at least 100 percent from last year," Cozart said. Cozart said one of the goals of the Alumni Association's involvement in the events is to "begin having fourth-year students [talk] with alumni as we begin to transition them from undergraduate to alumni status." The University's celebrations kicked off yesterday with a pep rally held at Nameless Field. Wallace Gundy, member of the Third Year Council, said the focus was to make "homecoming a big event [at the University] like it is at other schools." "We're really trying to get everyone excited about football season and excited about being a Cavalier," Gundy said.