Basketballs, Bonfires… and Bears!

It was great to come back and join the current team of photogs at Mercer University for the Homecoming 2011 Weekend. They have been a client of mine for a long time now and always welcome me back with open arms when I make a visit to Macon.
To get the ball rolling, the first event we covered was the groundbreaking ceremony of Mercer’s new football and lacrosse complex.

Next up was the Veterans Recognition Ceremony where Mercer honored veterans past and present.

I took a walk over to the university arena where the women’s basketball team was playing against Auburn University. It was a great turnout and I learned later that night that we set a record for women’s game attendance!

The students never cease to crack me up (or make me feel old) during skit competitions.

This year they had to perform skits from the 90’s, when most of them were born!!

Of course Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky jokes were prevalent, and that booty shaking Sir Mix-a-Lot song blared through the speakers a few times. But my favorites you might ask? The SNL skits, oh yeah. Wayne’s World was probably the best. But runner up to that was Arianna and Craig, the Spartan Cheerleaders. These kids were hilarious! They did a great job and I was cracking up the whole time!

The pep rally kicked off after the skits with a bonfire and fireworks. It was a beautiful night for both.

The next morning was the 5k run and pancake breakfast. It was early and cold and we had some dedicated and impressive participants. I was glad I was only shooting and happy to sip on some coffee and eat pancakes when they were done.

After breakfast, we took a tour of the campus with the class of 1961. They were there for their 50th Class Reunion.

It’s game time.

The Mercer Bears against the Emory Eagles.

The Homecoming King and Queen were announced at half time.

And when I asked for a group shot of the Homecoming Court, they growled at me. Be the Bear!

Where I live now, I’ve seen both bears and eagles with my own eyes and through the lens. And although I can’t comment on whether or not the statement in the poster above is true in the wilderness, it certainly was true in the arena that afternoon. Go Bears!

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