Get involved in Homecoming week at UNO

Let the games begin!

That’s the theme for this year’s Homecoming week, as it combines three sports, volleyball, basketball, and hockey, as well as a bunch of games and competitions for students and clubs.

Homecoming week starts Nov. 4, and Mav Productions is looking to reach all student organizations.  From sponsoring homecoming royalty, to just taking part in the competitions throughout the week, this is a great chance to bond and build your organization. Early registration can get a lot of your costs covered.

The week kicks off with a giant bash in the UNO Criss Library on Sunday.  On the agenda is what Mav Productions hopes becomes the world’s biggest game of musical chairs.  This event, like the rest, is open to all students, not just those in clubs or organizations.  

Monday, the HPER building is hosting the Battleship event.  Canoes are put in the HPER pool, and each crew has a five gallon jug to use to try to sink the other competitors.  It’s a giant free for all, and anyone can win. All students are welcome to spectate and cheer their organization on.  

Tuesday, there’s a game show in the MSBC Ballroom based on pop culture, where competitors can win up to $250 cash.  In the evening, stop by the chili and pie cook-off for some free samples and philanthropy.  Each organization or individual competing will have a jar.  Vote with your money to help them sweep the popular vote, while Mav Productions’ professional judges do a taste of their own.  Free food for good causes; what’s not to like?

NFL referee Dr. Darryl Lewis (not one of those replacement ones), will be at CPACS Wednesday to talk about what it’s like to be a referee, and how they finally came to their deal with the league.  Later, hypnotist Jim Wand will have people under his spell in what has been one of the more popular events in the past.

“Black out” for the volleyball game on Thursday versus Kansas State, and show your support for UNO athletics.  There could be some delicious incentives to be there first, so line up early!  

Friday, “red out” for the men’s basketball game against Northern Illinois at the Ralston Arena.  There should be tailgating in the afternoon, so watch for some more information as the date gets closer.

Finally, Saturday culminates the Homecoming festivities.  “Ice out” or wear all white, to support the Mavericks against Minnesota-Duluth. The game is at the CenturyLink center, where the King and Queen will be crowned. Student organization competition winners will also be named, followed by an afterparty in the Junior Ballroom.

Beyond the tentative schedule are additional events students and clubs can take part in.  The Homecoming Banner competition gives a $30 budget to make the best banner possible. Photo bingo at specific events and places can get you prizes throughout the week.

Student organizations have access to a T-shirt design contest to not only win the event, but advertise their club throughout the week. 

The main philanthropic event will be a Monopoly game. The penny wars style game will pit organizations against each other for control of two campus locations per day.  Coins add to the total, and bills subtract, so the group with the most positive amount will “buy” that property.  Any student can donate, by giving coins, or sabotaging with bills, and there aren’t any of those pesky “Go to Jail” cards.  Support a charity, have some fun, and lighten up that coin purse.

Now, this year, a new feature has been added in calculating the winning organization.  Instead of groups with 100 members sweeping everything, the amount of money raised will be divided by the number of active members.  If you’re in a small organization, don’t skip out in fear of not having enough members.  Registration closes Oct. 12, at 5 p.m., so rally your group, and let the games begin!