SPORTS
November 7, 2014
11
Homecoming weekend
bridges the past and present
Family of football players gather outside of Armfield Athletic Center to tailgate before the homecoming game.
BY QUINCY MALESOVAS
Staff Writer
Every year, new and returning students look
forward to Serendipity in the spring.
But what does the fall have to offer?
The answer is Homecoming — a weekend full
of music, food, sports, art and much more.
This year's Homecoming lured many returning
faces back to the Guilford College campus.
Although festivities happened throughout the
day on Friday, the real party began at sundown
with jazz music by the lake, sponsored by the
Center for Continuing Education.
Folks gathered into a large, white tent to
escape the icy downpour and even less forgiving
wind. Artist Reesa Renee began to perform,
drowning out the sound of rain on the plastic
tent. Freeport ]azz and Guilford's own The Blue
Roots Experiment rounded out the show.
"The jazz festival was awesome," said Daniel
Nolan '14, paying homage to the CCE department
"They should do that more often."
Saturday hallmarked the peak of the weekend,
with sporting events and tailgating taking
place from morning to night. Homecoming is
traditionally centered around football, but you
do not have to be a sports fan to appreciate the
affair.
"(Homecoming) is about the overall community
at the school and supporting each other," said
Matt Dilascio '14. "Football just happens to be a
part of it."
Family and friends of alumni also participated
in the fun, fostering community beyond the
campus boundaries.
Laura Milo '09 and Jordan Sutton '14 said their
parents met through tailgating and are good
friends now.
"You're building relationships, which is the heart
and soul of a liberd arts education," said Milo.
Recently, comparisons have been made
between Homecoming and Serendipity, which
alumni have been quick to rebut.
For Wesley Elam '96, who DJ'd the pre-game
tailgate. Homecoming is more like a big family
reunion.
"Serendipity is just a free-for-all to do whatever
the hell you want for however many days," said
Elam. "Alumni might try and relive it, but they're
going to feel it the next day."
"(Homecoming) is just good-natured fun,"
said Milo. "There's nothing foolish going on."
Between Quake Talks, art exhibitions and
banquets. Homecoming does have a highbrow
air to it that Serendipity lacks.
"It's really a celebration of the liberal arts,"
said Senior Director of Alumni Relations Karrie
Jo Manson '82,
"We all know that we have to get better about
helping students make the connection between
liberal arts and the next steps. That's a nuanced
conversation and that is what this is really
about."
What administration wants is for Homecoming
to connect alumni with current students. Beyond
the fun and games, there are many opportunities
for them to learn from their predecessors.
"We want to make visible and known what
(being an) alumni really means," said Assistant
Director of Alumni Relations Miriam Biber '02.
"We want to make it tangible."
This past weekend seemed to do that job
adequately, with room for improvement. One
recurring theme throughout the weekend was a
wish from graduates that more of their classmates
had shown up.
"It would be great if more alumni came out
next year," said Milo. "There really aren't that
many here.
Perhaps, if current students continue to
participate in the event on a yearly basis, they
can maintain enthusiasm until it is time for their
own Homecoming.
Alumni golf tournament
draws in students from
multiple generations
BY HENRY SMITH
Staff Writer
The Harvey Ljung Alumni Golf Tournament was held on a brisk
Halloween morning.
More than 50 Guilford College alumni teed off at Sedgefield Country
Club in the annual event that serves as the official start to Homecoming
weekend.
As dead leaves fell and littered the golf course, clouds of condensation
collected at the mouths of the players while they strategized.
Approximately 15 teams went to battle in a captain's choice format of
play, a team-oriented way to play golf, which is laid back and appropriate
for an event aimed at reuniting old friends.
"It was great to see some of the people that we grew up with," said
Bradley France '90. "It is good to see that people stay loyal and continue
to love the school."
The event took place at the Guilford College home golf course.
Members of the golf team worked to ensure that the golf course would
be in championship condition after playing a tournament just a few days
prior to Homecoming.
Golf offers several benefits to our alumni as they rekindle old friendships.
It creates a relaxing environment where people can interact and spend
quality time with each other. It also takes place in a natural environment.
What better venue than a golf course for Guilford alumni to meet and
reconnect?
The event was a positive experience for all involved.
The field of play was not represented by alumni alone. Some Guilford
faculty members played, including head men's lacrosse coach Tom
Carmean and head baseball coach Nick Black.
"I got to see all the guys that I don't get to see very often," said Black.
Black has been known to play with the golf team from time to time
when he gets time off from his duties. \
"It's always nice to get out on the golf course," said Black.
Alumni relations are important to the growth of ^y educational
institution. \
"I really like these types of events," said former assistant baseball coach
Daniel Hadra. "It makes me feel a sense of connectedness." \
Members of the Guilford golf team volunteered to hit drived on some of
the holes in an effort to help the teams lower their scores. \
The teams were given the opportunity to count one of tn? current
golfer's drives as their own. \
Sophomore golfer Ty Palmer is a good man for this job because \^en he
hits the driver it is hard to believe that the golf ball will stay intact. \
"I had a lot of fun with it," said Palmer. "I got to meet some people who
graduated from my school who I would never have known otherwise^'
Alumni are a huge part of Guilford. The Guilford family includes o\^r
23,000 people worldwide who have graduated from this school. \
Nobody is more loyal to a college than alumni. They fundraise, donate^
and are a walking marketing tool for Guilford through their social and'
professional networking experiences.
The alumni presence is always a key component of Guilford Nation,
and each Homecoming they are a crucial link to our past.
"It was greot to see some of the people that we grew
up with. It is good to see that people stay loyal and
continue to love the school."
Bradley France '90
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