NSU will celebrate its annual homecoming with a week of events on Nov. 8-15, including traditions such as Flight Deck Follies, the Anything that Floats Race and the Homecoming Bash.
This year’s theme is “Home Sweet Home” and has a twofold meaning.
Chair of the homecoming council Sasha Pimentel, junior communication studies major, said, “‘Home Sweet Home’ ties in with the fact that it’s NSU’s 50th anniversary and it also serves to remind people to make NSU their home while they’re here. Our homecoming council really tried to make it as innovative and as fun as possible – I really feel like it’s going to be special.”
Homecoming week kicks off with the annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions and Carnival on Nov. 8. The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Alvin Sherman Library Quad and proceeds will go to Special Olympics Florida Broward.
The Kick-Off Celebration starts on the quad after the race and lasts until 4 p.m. The celebration is for students to mingle and will include food trucks, entertainments and giveaways. However the homecoming council has not yet released details.
Pimentel urged students to keep an ear out for new information as the week approaches.
Flight Deck Follies, a drag show, will take place on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Flight Deck Pub. Male students will perform in different categories, including a talent segment, as individuals or as representatives of on-campus organizations. A panel of judges from the Division of Student Affairs will determine the winner who will win $300. Those who place second and third will win $200 and $100 respectively. The winner has the option of choosing a Barnes and Noble or Starbucks gift card or donating the winnings to his organization, if he represents one.
Senior finance major and Flight Deck Follies coordinator Kristel Tiwari encourages students to go see what the homecoming committee has planned.
“We’re hoping for a great turn out. Flight Deck Follies is going to be a really hilarious show. You should go see it at least once,” Tiwari said. “Last year I went for the first time and it was great. I don’t regret it and now I get to be the person behind the scenes.”
If weather permits, the free event will be held outside. Attendees can sit in the cabanas or bring their own blankets, pillows and yard chairs. If it rains, it will be moved to the UC Spine.
On Nov. 11, the women’s volleyball team will play against Barry University in the Don Taft University Center Arena. Students and active duty veterans will be admitted for free with proper identification.
Volleyball player Sydney Cook, junior communication studies major, said although Barry University’s volleyball team is good, she feels confident that the Sharks will succeed.
“Since the game will be in our home gym, surrounded by a lot of fans, we will do really well,” she said. “You do not have to know the game to come out and support us. All you have to do is cheer for your team and show your school pride.”
The Anything That Floats Race begins at 4 p.m. at the Gold Lake Circle on Nov. 12. Students compete for cash by building their rafts out of “anything that floats” and race their creations around the lake.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 13, students are invited to meet and interact with nominees for the homecoming court, as well as participate in games at the Alvin Sherman Library. The homecoming court is nominated by undergraduate students and is then reviewed by the homecoming advisers, who will select three nominees from each class. After the nominees have been selected, they are free to campaign for student votes and the winners will be announced at the Homecoming Basketball Game on Nov. 14.
The annual Homecoming Bash will be held on Nov. 13 at Passions Night Club in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Transportation will be provided via Shark Shuttle from 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shark Fountain.
“People should definitely be excited. This is kind of your free pass because you can get into the club even if you’re not 21,” said Pimentel. “The cool thing about it is for that one night, the club is open exclusively to NSU and their guests.”
Tickets for the Homecoming Bash will be sold in the UC starting on Nov. 6 for $10 and then $15 if purchased on the day of the event. Students are asked to buy their tickets in advance because tickets will not be sold at the door.
The week also includes with the Homecoming Lunchtime Pep Rally from noon to 1 p.m. on Nov. 14. There will be free food and face painting in the UC Pit so students can prepare for the Homecoming basketball double header. The men’s game will start at 4:30 p.m. and the women’s game will start at 7 p.m.
Pimentel also encouraged students to be active on social media during this week. Students can upload their photos and comments on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #SharksHC14.
For more information or to sign up for any of these events, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 954-262-7288 or studentactivities@nova.edu. To see a list of events, go to nova.edu/alumni/events/homecoming-2014.html.
