Parents and families of Northwest Missouri State University students will gather for a weekend of entertainment, athletic events and family fun as the University celebrates its annual Family Weekend, Sept. 19-21.
The weekend’s highlights include free entertainment, the annual Alumni Awards Banquet, the renaming of the Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Saturday afternoon football game against the University of Central Missouri. Festivities surrounding the football game include the Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone tailgate and the halftime introduction of the Northwest Family of the Year.
A complete schedule for Family Weekend along with detailed information for specific events is available by clicking here.
CIE re-naming ceremony
Northwest will celebrate the naming of its Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in honor of the University’s ninth president, who served Northwest from 1984 until his retirement in 2009. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the CIE, located on the northeast corner of the campus on North College Drive, and it is open to the public.
The CIE, which the University dedicated in September 2009, was Hubbard’s vision to provide unparalleled learning and research opportunities for Northwest students and faculty in a wide range of disciplines. The 46,679 square-foot combination research center and high-tech business incubator combines academic and entrepreneurial resources while providing assistance and encouraging development of new small businesses.
Athletics
Kickoff for the Bearcats’ football game against Central Missouri is set for 1 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium. The Hy-Vee Bearcat Zone, Northwest’s tailgate area prior to all home football games, gets under way at 11 a.m. at the Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion.
There will be performances by Bobby Bearcat, the Bearcat Marching Band, Bearcat Steppers and the Bearcat Cheerleaders. Fans may bring their own food or a tailgate meal is available for $6.75.
The football game includes a halftime recognition of the Northwest Family of the Year.
In other athletics contests during the weekend, the Northwest soccer team will take on Missouri Western State University at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at Bearcat Pitch.
Northwest volleyball will host two games at Bearcat Arena against the University of Washburn at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and against Emporia State University at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.