Homecoming 2002 was a spirit-boosting sensation for York! To add to the tremendous enthusiasm around the campus, the Yeomen defeated the Windsor Lancers soundly, 22-3, scoring goal after goal as the rapturous crowd of 1,200 cheered.
Matt Milovick, acting director of Alumni Affairs, gave a run-down of the weekend events:
Charity Walk
Led by York students, David Rajzman and Danny Wong, and supported by the Office of Alumni Affairs and the York is U spirit campaign, the charity walk was a huge success. There were approximately 200 walkers who arrived early to get their faces painted in anticipation of the Homecoming events. The York community were tremendously supportive of the charity walk and the awareness campaign prior to Homecoming. Over $16,000 was raised in the fight against breast cancer. During half-time the cheque from the charity events was presented by David Rajzman, Danny Wong and Jeremy Greenberg (Chair of the York is U spirit campaign) and Matt Milovick to Ab Haywood from the Canadian Cancer Society
Homecoming festival
From 11:30am-1:30pm Alumni Affairs coordinated and hosted the pre-game Homecoming festival. There was everything from displays from various campus services, student groups, faculties and colleges to contests/prizes, wandering buskers and a DJ. Alumni Affairs also sponsored a free BBQ for all who attended the festival and the game. To wrap up the event, led by a piper, Yeomen fans paraded around the football feel chanting, cheering and raising spirits to a whole new level.
Football game
Guy Burry, a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, got things underway with the ceremonial opening kick-off. Holding the ball was future Yeoman, Owen Burry, Guy Burry''s five-year-old son. Joining several distinguished York fans at the festivities was Chancellor Avie J. Bennett. At halftime, in addition to the cheque presentation from York is U to the Canadian Cancer Society, the 1972 Yeoman football team was honoured with 15 members of that year’s team on hand for the acknowledgement
Post-game celebrations
York was the place to be for parties! There were numerous get-togethers across campus - at the Blade, the Bull and the Snail. Treble Charger was the Homecoming concert headliner and played to an enthusiastic audience in the Student Centre food court.
Sport York, Glendon College, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies and Vanier College also hosted their own Homecoming events over the three-day homecoming period.