Homecoming 2008:
UC San Diego Alumni Return and Reconnect at Fun-Filled Weekend

Becky Biegelsen | Oct. 27, 2008

More than 800 UCSD alumni turned out for Homecoming weekend Oct. 17 to 19 .

More than 800 UC San Diego alumni from across the nation came back to campus to participate in a variety of social and athletic activities at Homecoming 2008, held during the weekend of Oct. 17. In its inaugural year as a joint program of Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs and UC San Diego Athletics, Homecoming offered a chance for graduates to reconnect with the faces and places that made their time at UC San Diego memorable.

The weekend festivities began Friday at noon with the annual Chancellor’s Challenge 5K Run/Walk – an event that has raised more than $2.1 million since its founding in 1996.  Later that day, alumni were invited to the university’s “Bear Garden” for an informal afternoon gathering, followed by the Men’s Water Polo match at Canyonview Pool, where the Tritons trounced Claremont, 20-4. Following the match, alumni and student athletes mingled at an ice cream social on Warren Field.

On Saturday morning, the majority of UC San Diego’s intercollegiate athletic teams hosted team-specific alumni competitions and functions.  At noon, alumni and their families enjoyed food, drink and activities for all ages at the Spanos Track and Field Stadium.

Alumni enjoyed competitions and activities.

On Sunday, Athletics and Alumni Affairs hosted the first annual Championship Anniversary Brunch, celebrating the NCAA Championships of the1988 Men’s Soccer Team, the 1988 Women’s Volleyball Team, and the 1989 Women’s Tennis Team. Additionally, the university’s LGBT alumni chapter reunited for brunch at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center. In the afternoon, the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams played Cal State L.A. in back-to-back matches on RIMAC field.

“We were so pleased to deepen our partnership with Athletics and Student Life this year as we celebrated a four-day Homecoming 2008, offering both athlete and non-athlete alumni a chance to return to campus and reunite with friends at this fun-filled fall event,” said Armin Afsahi, assistant vice chancellor for Alumni Affairs and executive director of the UCSD Alumni Association.