This is truly an unprecedented weekend at Miami.
Sure, like any other homecoming weekend, the hotels are booked, houses are bejeweled with red and white, and our campus is strewn with autumn-plush leaves.
But with 15 Miami sporting events on tap for this weekend - three of them nationally televised - this is truly a homecoming worth getting exciting about.
Like many of you, I've never bought into the splendor and stateliness of this October tradition.
But this year, think of all the compelling storylines.
Of course, the Ice Breaker Tournament and the official unveiling of Steve Cady Arena at Goggin Ice Center for RedHawks ice hockey needs no endorsement: It's No. 8 Miami versus No. 9 Denver in one of the most anticipated sporting events in school history.
For the many of you who will be turned away at the Goggin gates, don't worry: The entire two-day tournament will be televised on ESPNU, which the on-campus cable program carries, as do most bars. Friday's broadcast will additionally be shown on a screen in the intramural arena.
This two-day tournament is the feature attraction of homecoming weekend. But the event that will generate the most national buzz is Sunday's football game against Northern Illinois and its record-setting running back, Garrett Wolfe.
Wolfe, through five games, has rushed for an astonishing 1,128 yards and is coming off a 353-yard performance against Ball State. Despite his team's two losses, the 5-foot-7 senior speedster can't possibly be ignored as a Heisman contender. With a player like Wolfe, especially against a 0-5 Miami team, a 100-yard game just won't suffice for this ESPN audience - I'd be shocked if the RedHawks keep him under 200 yards in the game.
While walking to the football game, be sure to stop by the brand new softball diamond, perched on a hill between Yager Stadium and Millett Hall. This state-of-the-art $4.5 million facility will host the 10-team Miami Fall Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
Miami plays Dayton and Eastern Kentucky Saturday and Ohio State and Northern Kentucky Sunday in what will be their final games of the fall schedule.
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If possible, I recommend sitting on the open grass seating sections above the home and visitor dugouts.
Other events taking place include women's soccer games Friday and Sunday, field hockey matches Saturday and Sunday, a women's volleyball match at Millett Hall Friday and a women's tennis invitational Saturday and Sunday.
Sadly, most of our fall teams are having subpar seasons. But in the grand scheme of things, it's not the actual sports that enrich the fervor of the weekend.
Historically, homecoming has been defined by its parade, or by the crackling bonfire on Cook Field or the dance at Withrow Court.
This weekend, sporting events may be the big draw. But most of all, homecoming is about amalgamating past and present generations and enjoying the final days of warm weather.
So while I normally let college and pro football rule my life Saturdays and Sundays, maybe this weekend I'll take exception. I hope you will too.
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