UNCA to Celebrate Homecoming February 24-March 1

UNC Asheville will hold its week-long Homecoming 2003 Celebration beginning February 24. The roster of special events range from an evening with comedian Alex House to a special tribute to beloved former UNCA coach Herb Coman.

A number of Homecoming 2003 events are open to the public. They are as follows:

** February 24 -- UNCA’s free weekly lunchtime entertainment series, Clear Window on the Arts, will feature belly dancer Jenifer Marshall from 12:15-1 p.m. in the Glasshouse adjacent to the Ramsey Library.

** February 24 -- Hilarious female comedian and actress Alex House will perform at 9 p.m. in the Dining Hall. A Long Island, N.Y. native, House competed in the Bud Light’s Ladies of Laughter comedy contest where she placed first runner-up for new talent (1999) and professional (2000). She has appeared on ABC’s "The View" and on Comedy Central. Her film credits include "Centerstage," "The Hurricane," "Music of the Heart" and "For Love of the Game." Admission is free.

** February 26 -- The UNCA women’s basketball team takes on Elon in a Big South Conference game at 7 p.m. in the Justice Center. Admission is $4 adults, $2 children at the door.

** February 26 -- The talented John Rush will perform at 9 p.m. in the Dining Hall. Heralded as "the human jukebox" by the Boston Globe, Rush’s potential setlist includes more than 500 progressive folk and rock tunes. He mixes these classic songs and audience requests with origanal music to create a unique concert experience. Rush performs solo with the help of a sampler that allows him to record a guitar "loop" on the fly and then play lead over it, instantly creating the sound of several musicians. His vocal harmonizer adds a full quality to the one-man show. Admission is free.

** February 27 -- The Clear Window on the Arts free performance series continues with classical guitarist Shane Ambro from 12:15-1 p.m. in the Glasshouse.

** February 28 -- UNCA’s seventh annual homecoming parade is set to roll along University Heights at 3:30 p.m.

** February 28 -- A reception honoring former UNCA athletics director and head coach Herb Coman will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. Coman served as UNCA’s first athletics director and as head coach for football, basketball and baseball from 1947-1952. An Asheville native, Coman was a prep standout in football, basketball and baseball at Asheville’s Lee Edwards High School and then went on to star at the University of South Carolina where he lettered in all three sports. He began his coaching career at Lee Edwards before coming to Asheville-Biltmore College, as UNCA was then known. In addition to serving as coach and athletics director, Coman taught geology and history and was dean of men. In 1990, Coman was voted into the Western North Carolina Hall of Fame.

** February 28 -- All UNCA graduates of the past 10 years and those alumni who are young at heart will gather for the Young Alumni Party at the Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. The King Crimson band, comprised of famed musicians Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, will perform. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. Admission is $25.

** March 1 -- UNCA alumni and Bulldog fans will get pumped up at the Pontiac/GMC Pre-game Lunch Bash at noon in the Karpen Hall lobby. Lunch is free but registration is required. Call UNCA’s Alumni Office at 800/774-3381 or 828/251-6512 to sign up.

** March 1 -- UNCA and Winthrop face off in the Big South Conference homecoming basketball games. The women’s team plays at 2 p.m. followed by the men’s team at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be played in UNCA’s Justice Center and admission is $6 adults, $4 children. During half time of the men’s game there will be a special tribute to Herb Coman.

For more information about homecoming events, call UNCA’s Alumni Office at 828/251-6512.

Media Contacts:

• Mary Chakales, UNCA Alumni Office Director, 828/251-6693
• Dr. Kevan Frazier, UNCA Student Life Director, 828/251-6585
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526