By VERONICA GRAY and KAYLA JACOBUS
Despite not having a football team, UT’s Homecoming is next week and Student Productions (SP) is bringing back some old favorites along with new events.
The first ever UT’s Got Talent Event will be taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. in Reeves Theater. SP is looking for anyone interesting talent, including musicians, dancers and comedians to send in video applications via OrgSync by Friday, Oct. 7. The Master of Ceremonies for UT’s Got Talent is esteemed comedian Jay Dukes. He will be running the event along with a panel of four judges that will include the president of student productions and other faculty members of UT.
Those in attendance during the talent performances will be able to “text vote” so that the audience is able to be involved with selecting the top three participants. Those top three participants will be awarded cash prizes at the end of the proceedings.
“That’s one thing about [Student Productions], we always try to bring in things we haven’t done before,” said junior marketing major and SP special events chair Laurel Avery.
That also includes the change in scheduling. Last year’s Homecoming events took place in the middle of a school week, from a Tuesday until Friday, which made it hard for some students to attend and keep up with their regular responsibilities. This year, however, Homecoming takes place from Wednesday Oct. 12 to Saturday Oct. 15. All events take place after most classes and are free for UT students, giving them plenty of time to enjoy these events while not giving up their responsibilities.
Casino Night will take place Thursday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. in Vaughn Lobby.
While maintaining the fun of the original event, a candy bar will now be available during the casino festivities. UT’s radio station, WUTT, will be there to DJ during casino night as well as throughout the carnival.
Tailgating for Homecoming commences at Pepin Stadium on Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. This event gives students an opportunity to display school spirit while enjoying light refreshments, music, facepainting, balloon animals and carnival prize themed giveaways. This year’s Homecoming game between the men’s soccer team and Barry University takes place at 7 p.m. The crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen will happen during the halftime ceremony.
The Homecoming Carnival will be taking place on Oct. 15 from 12 – 4 p.m. The Mind Reader, a new spin ride, will be the carnival ride available outside in the courtyard of Vaughn amongst the giant slide, skeeball, high striker and carnival game booths. There will also be a variety of carnival novelties including cotton candy and stuffed animals. There is currently a sign up for organizations to table throughout the event and any organization that is interested should contact student productions. Student productions partnered with Alumni Community Relations to bring an inflatable obstacle course, as well as two tents to the carnival.
Making its return to UT on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. in the Vaughn lobby is Throwback Time Machine, the upbeat video dance party. Accessories and glow sticks will be provided for those in attendance.
Natasha Acosta, junior and double major in international and cultural studies and government and world affairs said she couldn’t wait to go to homecoming.
“I think homecoming is a fun way to get the school excited for the year and to get all organizations involved for a week,” she said. “I’m excited because I get to see school spirit around campus and see what organizations get involved this year.”
Mina Buzzak, sophomore and writing major, attended a few events for last year’s homecoming and is excited for the new events for this year.
“I remember the carnival from last year so I’ll be going to that. And UT’s Got Talent, I like seeing people perform,” Buzzak said.
Veronica Gray can be reached at veronica.gray@spartans.ut.edu. Kayla Jacobus can be reached at kayla.jacobus@spartans.ut.edu