 Week of Sept. 21-26 packed with music, sports, fun events
CLARKSDALE – A record-breaking crowd approaching 10,000 is expected at Coahoma Community College’s Homecoming 2009 Saturday, Sept. 26, according to school and alumni officials.
Combined with Coahoma’s 2 p.m. football game with Copiah-Lincoln drawing avid Tiger sports fans are multiple class reunions, CCC supporters and hundreds of area students attending High School Day from the school’s five-county district.
CCC president Vivian Presley comments, “The response to Homecoming 2009 has been overwhelming; we look forward to welcoming everyone to our campus.”
“All tailgating spaces near the stadium have been booked, and we’re expanding into other locations,” says Dr. Greg Hudson, vice president of student affairs.
“At least four graduating classes – 1979, 1984, 1989, and 1999 - are organizing reunions and many will be marching in the downtown parade,” adds LaShasa Griffin, dean of student affairs.
Grand Marshals for Homecoming 2009 and the Homecoming Parade are two alumni: Dr. Jesse McGee, a cardiologist from Cordova, and Joe Webb, new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center.
Marching in the Saturday morning parade are numerous floats and eight bands: Clarksdale High, Coahoma County, Higgins, Rosedale, John F. Kennedy, Cleveland Eastside, Oakwood High of Memphis, and CCC/CAHS.
An event-packed week stars a broad spectrum of music with concerts by 10 gospel groups on Monday night, R&B’s Love Jones and MTV superstar rapper Yo Gotti on Thursday night, and blues artists Razorblade, Nathaniel Kimble and others performing outside Miller Stadium between the CCC and CAHS homecoming games.
“The entire week is called ‘A Tiger Thriller production’ and a tribute to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop,” says Hudson crediting the idea as a shared brainchild from the departments of academic affairs and student affairs.
Gearing each day to a Michael Jackson hit, the week kicks off Monday with “Man in the Mirror,” and features the Miss Homecoming election, a Tiger Taste Carnival, and the gospel concert.
Tuesday’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” gives energy to a voter registration drive, a splash party/wellness activity and the popular faculty/staff talent show as a finale.
Wednesday’s theme is “We Are the World” with a breast cancer awareness walk, faculty vs. student basketball game, and dance.
“Rock with You” is the hit for Thursday’s Love Jones/Yo Gotti concert expected to pack the Pinnacle with 2,000 to 3,000 music fans.
Admission is free to CCC students and high school seniors. For general admission, the ticket price is $20, and tickets will be available at the door.
The annual spirit display competition, Tiger pep rally, and fireworks show light up with “Thriller” on Friday, and Saturday’s theme is “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.”
Eugene Brown, director of student activities, says he has been taking the three Miss Homecoming candidates to visit and introduce themselves at CCC’s seven off-campus sites in Bolivar, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties.
Candidates are Renita Hogan of Alligator, a pre-nursing major and graduate of Coahoma County High School; Vinetra Johnson of Friars Point, a social science education major and graduate of Coahoma Agricultural High; and Richelle Maddox of Cleveland, who is enrolled in practical nursing and graduated from Eastside High School.
“We expect 500 to 600 students to vote in the election,” adds Brown.
Civic clubs, social organizations, bands, troops, cheerleaders, churches, horsemen, show cars, and others are invited to participate in the Homecoming Parade. For more information and to enter, call 662-621-4142.
Rita Hanfor, assistant alumni affairs director, requests former CJC/CCC/ and CAHS band members planning to march in the Saturday parade, to attend an organizational/practice meeting at 7 p.m. Friday in the Pinnacle.
“Parade attire is white polo shirts, blue jeans, white socks, and white gym shoes,” says Hanfor. For additional information, contact Hanfor at 662-621-4144 or Darian Lipsey at 769-798-5389.
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