Almost everyone remembers something exciting about their high school homecoming, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee plans on creating that very same excitement with PantherFest, UWM’s homecoming celebration.

PantherFest takes place from Oct. 10 to 16 and includes FAN-tastic Friday (formerly Midnight Mayhem) and the Panther Prowl 5K, a traditional powder puff football game, a club football game against Marquette, an alumni art exhibit at the Union Art Gallery, an outdoor movie at Straights Plaza, a concert at the Gasthaus, and more.

The FAN-tastic Friday celebration will take place on Oct. 14 at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a women’s volleyball game against UW-Green Bay.

After the game, there will be a rally featuring men’s basketball coach Rob Jeter and women's coach Sandy Botham, the UWM cheerleaders, the dance team and the school band.

Activities will include half-court shots, a special basketball challenge that will end with the winner walking away with a 32-inch, HD-ready flat-screen TV, and a dunk contest.

Busses will be scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and run until late in the evening, transporting students from Sandburg Hall and the Union to the arena and back.

New to the PantherFest activities this year is the Panther Prowl certified 5K run/walk that will take place Sunday, Oct. 16 and bring Homecoming week to a close.

The Panther Prowl registration fees and pledges participates receive from sponsors will go to a scholarship fund for UWM students. The event begins at 10 a.m., with registration from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. The registration fee is $15 for students and $20 for non-students.

Registered walkers and runners not only get to participate in the 5K itself, but also will receive a goody-bag, a long-sleeve T-shirt and an awards party in Straights Plaza with refreshments provided by sponsors such as Noodles & Company and Pepsi.

For those not keen on completing the 5K, volunteering is another way to help Panther Prowl be successful.

For information on the alumni art exhibit, the club football game, Alumni College, Just for Kids, and other homecoming week events, visit www.uwm.edu/homecoming. If you are interested in participating in or volunteering for Panther Prowl information is available at www.pantherprowl.net.

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