Amatchbox twentyconcert and a gridiron showdown with Rutgers are just a taste of what parents and students can look forward to during a jam-packed Fall Family Weekend at West Virginia University, Oct. 10-12.

We like to think of the University as a family, and your student has joined us during one of the most exciting times in our history,said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.Breakthrough research, outstanding academic achievement by our students and faculty, and the opening of new facilities are all taking place right now.

Parents, siblings and the like are invited to live the WVU experience first-hand. Those arriving on Friday will be able to get a close look at the new facilities during guided tours of the campus. In addition to a state-of-the-art Downtown Library Complex and unique Visitors Center, families will have the chance to visit the award-winning Student Recreation Center.

Parents are also invited to attend class with their studentprovided arrangements have been made in advance with instructorsand speak with representatives from various departments.

Another highlight of the weekend will be the PROMISE Scholars reception from 3-5 p.m. Friday at E. Moore Hall. State Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin will attend along with President Hardesty, scholars and their parents. About 2,500 PROMISE Scholars are enrolled this fall with more than 1,500 of those as new students at WVU .

Recipients of this award receive free in-state tuition, regardless of family income, if they maintain a 3.0 high school grade-point average and have a composite score of 21 on the ACT and 1000 on the SAT entrance exams. They must maintain a 2.75 during their freshman year and a B average in subsequent years to keep the scholarship.

On Friday evening, parents and students can enjoy live entertainment and meet other Mountaineer families while enjoying a barbecue in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., the annual meeting of the Mountaineer Parents Club will be held. The club, which connects over 11,500 WVU families through chapters across the state and nation, is led by volunteer national chairperson Susan Hardesty, wife of WVU s president. Many of WVU s top administrators will meet and greet families at Saturdays meeting and answer any questions they may have.

Families and students will then gather to take part in the tradition and excitement of Mountaineer football beginning with a tailgate party at 10 a.m. Saturday in theParent Pitin Tent City III before cheering the Mountaineers on to victory over Big East foe, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The fun continues after the game at a post game dinner buffet at adjacent Puskar Center.

The popular group,matchbox twenty,will rock the WVU Coliseum at 8:30 p.m. Described by one music critic aseven music your mother would like,the group is known for its catchy melody and hooks.

Tickets are on sale at the Mountainlair Box Office and Ticketmaster. Prices range from $45.50 to $28.50, depending on seat location. WVU students, who purchase tickets at the Mountainlair Box Office, receive a $2 discount on all price levels.

A Ring Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday at Erickson Alumni Center concludes the scheduled weekend activities. Students, of at least junior status, who ordered a WVU class ring will receive this symbol of pride from the Hardestys.

Fall Family Weekend Highlights:

Friday, Oct. 10: Class visitsall day

  • PROMISE Scholars reception3-5 p.m., E. Moore HallMountaineer Family Cookout5-7 p.m., Mountainlair Ballrooms
  • Guided tours6:30-7:30 p.m., Downtown Campus LibraryGuided tours6-8 p.m., Visitors Resource Center/One Waterfront Place

Saturday, Oct. 11: Mountaineer Parents Club annual meeting8:30-9:30 a.m., Erickson Alumni Centers Durrett Hall

  • Family Tailgate10 a.m., Tent City III sParent Pit,near Mountaineer FieldMountaineer Football, WVU vs. RutgersNoon
  • All-American Post-Game Dinner Buffetimmediately following football game, Milan Puskar Centers Thomas Roommatchbox twenty concert8:30 p.m., WVU Coliseum

Sunday, Oct. 12: Ring Day Ceremony and Reception1-2 p.m., Erickson Alumni Centers Durrett Hall

In addition, WVUp All Night activities in the Mountainlair take place from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Most WVUp All Night activities are free to WVU students and their families.

A detailed schedule is available online at http://www.wvu.edu/ffw/ .