野狼社区

Along with the crisp fall weather, pumpkin spice and everything nice, there鈥檚 a definite jolt of school spirit in the air around 野狼社区 University as Homecoming approaches.

This year鈥檚 edition is channeling the great outdoors with the theme 鈥淐amp OCU: A Week Under the Stars鈥� with events from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2. 

The fourth annual Legacy Speaker presentation will feature alumnus David Crooch at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. Crooch, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physical education from OCU in 2001, is vice president and general manager of Diageo鈥檚 non-alcoholic beverage line and a co-founder of the Ritual Beverage Company.

Homecoming will ramp up to a grand finale with Parent & Family Day on Saturday, Nov. 2, starting with a parade around campus, a tailgating, and a basketball game before closing with the 40^th anniversary of the LipSync contest. 

As many students and alumni from the past several decades know so well, the LipSync contest has become perhaps the most memorable tradition of the year 鈥� other than commencement. The level of production has levelled up to a spectacle that must be seen to be believed as student organizations give their lighthearted perspectives of their OCU experience through extensively choreographed song, dance and use of handmade props.

According to a November 1984 story in the Campus newspaper, the original version was an evening 鈥渁ir band鈥� concert contest in the cafeteria, when competitors could 鈥渄ress like their favorite stars and act the part鈥� for a chance at prizes. 

In 1987, the event was titled 鈥淟ive鈥� and likely resembled more of a traditional lip sync contest. It became a Homecoming staple as LipSync in 1991 when it was included as a component to the Food Fest on the Lawn. 

This year鈥檚 competition will be emceed by filmmaker and OCU Trustee Lance McDaniel (MLA 鈥�07).

Homecoming this year coincides with the annual . 鈥淐amp OCU鈥� activities for alumni, students and the bigger-tent community at large are staked down with the following:

Alumni, family, friends and the community

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

• 1 p.m. 鈥� Fourth annual Legacy Speaker Series with David Crooch (BS Physical Education '01), vice president and general manager of Diageo鈥檚 non-alcoholic beverage line and a co-founder of the Ritual Beverage Company (Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel)
• 8 p.m. 鈥� Abe Lemons Classic basketball game, OCU Stars vs. Ottawa University Arizona (Henry J. Freede Wellness Center, Abe Lemons Arena)

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

• 5:30-7 p.m. 鈥� Clara Luper and American Indian Scholars reunion reception,  (Wilson House)   
• 7 p.m. 鈥� Abe Lemons Classic basketball game, OCU Stars vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Henry J. Freede Wellness Center, Abe Lemons Arena)

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

• 12:30-12:45 p.m. 鈥� Information point and check-in; an optional meet-up with fellow members of the OCU community to gather and get information about the day鈥檚 activities (north side of Freede Wellness Center, outdoor check-in table)
• 1-2 p.m. 鈥� Homecoming Parade led by this year's Golden Grad marshal, Trustee  (JD '74) (north side of Freede Wellness Center along NW 27th Street)
• 2-3:30 p.m. 鈥� Homecoming Reunion Reception celebrating this year's special guests: the class of 1974 Golden Grads, all other graduating classes ending in 4s and 9s, and OCU parents and families. Event co-hosts include 2024 parade marshal Trustee Gary Homsey ('74) and Legacy Speaker David Crooch ('01). All OCU alumni are invited. (Wilson House)
• 3:30-5 p.m. 鈥� Tailgate and Reunion Tents featuring food trucks, displays of the student organization鈥檚 鈥淪pirit Walls鈥� creations and informational tables. Alumni may participate in the authorized Sign the Gold Star tradition established by the Class of 2020. (north side of Freede Wellness Center; indoor/outdoor)
• 5 p.m. 鈥� Abe Lemons Classic basketball game, OCU Stars vs. Mission University (Henry J. Freede Wellness Center, Abe Lemons Arena)
• 8 p.m. 鈥� 40th anniversary of LipSync (Henry J. Freede Wellness Center, Abe Lemons Arena)

Student schedule