UTPB Homecoming features Selena tribute band

Oct. 5—Taking place throughout the week, University of Texas Permian Basin's Homecoming culminates Friday with a parade, bonfire and Selena tribute band.

The occasion concludes Saturday with the university facing off in football against Simon Fraser University, a team from Canada.

The theme is UTPB Goes to the World Cup.

Assistant Director of Student Life Emily Banda said the kickoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ratliff Stadium. For tickets, visit utpbfalcons.com

"We have some events that are open to the public. On Wednesday night, we'll be showing the Selena movie at 8 p.m. on the quad. On Thursday, we'll have a lip sync battle with our student organizations and we'll have an emcee who does magic and illusion. The community's welcome to come to see that as well. But Friday is really our big day. Friday, we have our parade at 6:30. At seven o'clock, we'll have our block party and the Selena tribute band, Los Chicos del 512, will be performing. We have food being sponsored by HEB, so that's amazing. Then our pep rally begins at 8 p.m. and we'll conclude with the fireworks and then the Selena tribute band will come out and do another set," Banda said.

She added that she has seen the band perform "and they're amazing."

Banda said the band is from Arizona and they are all educators in their day jobs.

"So we're excited to have them," she said.

The parade route will start at the Founders Building parking lot. "It will come out, head toward UTPB Circle. Once it gets to UTPB Circle, they'll head west towards the library. It'll go in front of the library, in front of the Mesa (Building) and will conclude at the Kirk building soccer field. That's when we'll have the food and the music and everything available," Banda said.

There will be inflatables for kids and the whole event is free.

"It should be a really good time," she added.

For Friday's events, Banda said they hope to have 500 people.

"It's also the same day as the Odessa High and Permian game, so that might impact our attendance, but hopefully we'll still have some turnout here. The good thing is that Ratliff is right here," Banda said.

Banda said they have been planning Homecoming since April.

"It's an ongoing thing. As soon as we finish, we wrap up and start preparing for the next one," she added.

They decided on the Selena tribute band because Selena connects with everybody and gives them a sense of pride.

"But something that we've seen in this region specifically is that it doesn't matter, people's race, nationalities; if a Selena song comes on, people will be dancing I mean, good dancing, bad dancing. I think that Selena and her trajectory just really connects with people," Banda said.

"Being here in Midland-Odessa, a predominantly Hispanic community, and us serving a primarily Hispanic student body, it just seemed like a great choice, especially when we're wanting to celebrate what it means to be a Falcon. That's one of the primary reasons why," she added.

With the theme, they are going to be giving away some soccer jerseys that they customized that highlight the region.

The shirts include cacti and pumpjacks.

"They're really neat designs, so we are excited. We have a four-on-four soccer tournament coming up; a lot of fun stuff related to the theme ... All of our student organizations that are competing are representing a country," Banda said.

She added that they will adapt their music for lip synching and the parade to the country they chose. The float decorations will also go with the country they selected.

"Homecoming is one of my favorite traditions, not just at UTPB but in general. We're hoping to be able to involve our alumni more. This year we have alumni coming out to judge and be active participants during Homecoming, so we're really excited about that," Banda said.

She added that they are trying to strengthen their relationships with alumni.

"I think that UTPB is in a very special position right now and this is the perfect time for alumni to come back because in the next three years campus won't look anything like this anymore since we'll be undergoing our campus transformation. This will be the last fall that campus will look like this. After this it will be under construction, and in three or four years, she will be different; she will be better. I think being an alumni of different institutions, I take great pride in going back to see my alma maters grow and change. That's what's so special about Homecoming is welcoming back those alumni and having them see the impact they made on their campus," Banda said.

Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Student Life Adrian Lodge said Homecoming is one of the most fun events they put on.

"It's an opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to be able to get together outside of the classroom and outside of the office and it's a great opportunity for us to connect with our Midland-Odessa community as well," Lodge said.

This is Lodge's eighth homecoming and she predicts it will continue to grow.

"It only seems to be getting bigger and better as we move along ... Everyone is responding really well to these types of events, partnering with us, coming out and enjoying being a part of this community together," she added.