“Follow the Pride”is the theme for West Virginia Universitys Homecoming Week activities (Oct. 26-Nov. 3) in honor of the WVU Mountaineer Marching Bands 100th anniversary.

The annual Homecoming Parade down High Streetled by parade marshal and band member Larry Schwabbegins at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Dr. Schwab, a Morgantown ophthalmologist, has been a part-time WVU student for the past two years so he could re-kindle his involvement in the band. Schwab is a baritone player, who first marched with”The Pride”as an undergraduate in 1958.

He is a 1962 graduate of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and a 1966 graduate of the WVU School of Medicine.

Also riding in this years parade are Outstanding Alumni Vivien Woofter and Gen. Kenneth D. Gray.

Woofter graduated from WVU in 1952 with a degree in home economics and currently is Director of Interior Design for the Office of Foreign Buildings, U.S. Department of State.

Gray is WVU s Vice President for Student Affairs. He earned his law degree from WVU in 1969 and entered active military duty in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps.

All will be honored at halftime of Saturdays WVU -Rutgers football game. That game kicks off at 1 p.m.

New to WVU s Homecoming Parade this year will be a call to”Follow the Pride”at the conclusion of the parade. The WVU Marching Band will lead a fan parade of spectators back up High Street to the Mountainlair Plaza for”Mountaineer Madness,”a spirit rally to begin around 8 p.m. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is scheduled to join the band, cheerleaders, Mountaineer mascot and others for this new activity.

Students can get to know the 10 Homecoming king and queen candidates during a”meet the candidates”forum at 12:30 p.m. Monday in the Mountainlair Commons.

Voting for king and queen will be held Tuesday at the Evansdale Residential Complex dining hall between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., and will continue Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Mountainlair Commons. Winners will be named at halftime of Saturdays game.

The annual Homecoming Week American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Last years drive was the Red Crosslargest in the state of West Virginia, and organizers hope to meet or exceed that mark.

WVU s Alumni Association will host several events throughout the weekend, including a post-parade barbecue at Erickson Alumni Center. The alumni event is free, but reservations are requested by calling 293-4731. On Saturday, the Alumni Association will hold their pre-game tent celebration at 10:30 a.m. in Tent City.

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will host its annual Arts&Sciences Homecoming Lectures and Brunch Program from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday in Woodburn Hall. Participants can sit in on one of five lecturescollectively called”New Ways to View the World”and then enjoy a brunch buffet. Guests are asked to RSVP by Oct. 31 to Brenda Riggle at 293-4611 or briggle@wvu.edu .

Other homecoming events include:

  • A lecture by Lawrence Ross, author of The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities, Friday, Oct. 26, Mountainlair Ballrooms, 7 p.m.
  • Games on theLair Plaza, Monday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
  • Greek Airbands on theLair Plaza, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m. The top three airbands will compete during”The Opening Act”on Saturday.
  • The Rich Rodriguez Radio Show live broadcast from theLairs Vandalia Lounge (across from the WVU Copy Center) on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m. The audience will have the opportunity to ask Coach Rodriguez questions during the statewide broadcast hosted by Tony Caridi.
  • Law School Day Homecoming celebration, WVU Law School, Friday, Nov. 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Cost for the reception is $25 per person.
  • “The Opening Act”pre-show in The Pit, Saturday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m., which will showcase the many aspects of student life and will feature a message from Coach Rodriguez, prizes, Homecoming awards presentations, other special guests and entertainment.
  • Kickoff for the WVU -Rutgers game is 1 p.m. at Mountaineer Field.
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Party Walk competition, Saturday, Nov. 3, Mountainlair Ballrooms, 9 p.m.