RADFORD -- Homecoming was definitely a “whole new ballgame” this year with alumni, students, faculty, staff and local community members enjoying the diverse array of events scheduled throughout campus.

The Homecoming weekend kicked off with a Friday morning meeting of the President’s Advisory Council. Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle emphasized the crucial role of private funds in advancing the university when she addressed members of the Council. Following a welcome by Board of Visitors Vice Rector Thomas E. Fraim Jr., Kyle presented highlights of RU’s new 10-year strategic plan, “RU 7-17: Forging a Bold New Future” and talked about PAC’s role in achieving the goals of the plan. She also encouraged PAC members to be active participants in fundraising. The group spent the afternoon in a work session with members of the RU development staff.

Friday afternoon, the Radford University National Alumni Association inducted new officers for its organization. The association inducted Jayne Katz Ayers ’83 as president, Nancy Dyer Manning ’66 as first vice-president, Lee Clark ’85 as second vice-president and Frank Fitzgerald ’81, MS ’83 as immediate past president.

As newly elected officers of the Alumni Association, they are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship between the alumni and the university. And they are responsible for governing and providing leadership to the Executive Council and the Alumni Association.

Later that evening, many of RU’s basketball alumni gathered at the Dedmon Center Arena for a trip down memory lane. They laced up their shoes and took to the court for the Highlander Basketball Alumni Reunion games. A number of the great players from the men’s team that led the Highlanders to the 1998 NCAA tournament were leading the charge.

Friday evening, close to 300 students took the Highlander Challenge in “The Bonnie.”  “The Bonnie” was packed with students from Greek organizations and clubs planning strategies for the pie eating-caterpillar walk, bowling and a karaoke showdown. Creativity and coordination paid off for first place karaoke winner Theta Chi and runner-up Phi Sigma Pi. While many mastered songs they had never heard, others tried to impress judges with rather unique antics. One team’s rap rendition of “B-I-N-G-O” sent feet stomping and hands clapping.  “I don’t know what I’ve enjoyed most tonight, said RU junior Kenny Davis. “I liked all of this.”

RU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council succeeded in “bringin’ it back” before an impressive crowd of students and alumni with its annual step show in the Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall. Dance  team AREUHYPE, campus fraternities and sororities, and visiting step teams from Fairfax and Roanoke took the stage for fun-filled evening of step competition.

Saturday began with college open houses to welcome alumni back to campus.  Attendees explored the RU Planetarium, the RU Greenhouse and the RU Museum of the Earth Sciences. Art lovers were welcome to the Flossie Martin Art Gallery in Powell Hall.  Alumni snacked on the “The Movable Feast,” which offered appetizers, lunch-time snacks and dessert at Waldron Hall, Peters Hall and Russell Hall.  All colleges enjoyed speaking to their alumni about the current programs and curriculum now offered to RU students.

After lunch, students and alumni were seen streaming toward the gymnasium in Peters Hall. A crowd of 300 students and alumni packed the gym for the inaugural Homecoming “Dread the Red” pep rally. The RU pep band brought the sizzle along with energetic performances by the RU Rockers, RU cheerleaders and RU Hype dance team. Coaches Jeri Porter and Brad Greenberg introduced their respective teams and encouraged the crowd to support their quests for Big South basketball championships.

Before the women’s basketball game, RU Alumni Affairs hosted a pre-game social.  For alumni and Highlander fans gathering in the giant white tent behind the Dedmon Center, Homecoming in February was picture perfect.  Groups gathered, chatted, smiled for photos and many donned “Dread the Red” T-shirts in the hour before the women’s basketball game tipped off.  “Having Homecoming in February is a win-win situation for Radford University and the alumni,” said Joann Donnellan ’86. “It’s a welcomed change and it has created a special vibe on campus.  Change is in the air here and everyone is jazzed.”

To finish off the day-long activities, the men and women’s basketball teams took to the court to rout their opponents.  The women defeated UNC Asheville 68 – 49 and the men defeated Liberty in a tight 89-88 win.  For more information about the games, visit www.ruhighlanders.com.

This year, RU’s Homecoming was indeed a “whole new ballgame” and a grand success.

View photo gallery of Homecoming 2008 Events here.