February 17, 2003

Alumni, friends invited to visit TSU for St. Patrick’s Day celebration

Troy State University’s third annual Alumni, Parents and Friends/ St. Patrick’s Day celebration is scheduled for March 10-17, according to Faith Ward, Director of Alumni Affairs.

Ward said this year’s celebration will include a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a dinner honoring the distinguished alumnus of the year, the annual T-Day intrasquad football game and a week of Irish-themed activities.

"We are inviting all alumni and friends to visit the campus on the weekend of March 14-15," Ward said. "As this will also double as a preview weekend for high school students, we expect to have a lot of excitement and activity on campus."

Ward added that the Alabama Legislature in 2001 designated the Troy celebration as the official observance of St. Patrick’s Day in Alabama. She said the City of Troy and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce are partners in the effort.

Highlights of the weekend include a St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15 beginning at 11 a.m. The parade route will run down University Avenue through the heart of the campus.

The T-Day game begins at 1 p.m., at Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium. There is no admission charge for T-Day.

The day’s events will include the annual reunion dinner and the presentation of the Distinguished Leadership Award, scheduled this year for the ballrooms of the Trojan Center, beginning at 6 p.m. Cost for the reunion dinner is $20. The TSU Choral Department is planning a concert to begin at 8 p.m. in the Claudia Crosby Theater. Admission is free.

The Reunion Weekend follows a full week of St. Patrick’s Day-related events on the TSU campus, including a "Miss Shamrock" pageant. The Troy State University Symphony Band is also planning an "Irish Celebration" concert for Monday, March 10.

For more information, contact the Troy State University Office of Alumni Affairs at 334-670-3318 or toll-free at 1-877-4TROYST.

Schedule for TSU St. Patrick’s Celebration Week 2003
   Monday, March 10
   6:30 p.m. reception for donors (invitation only), Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor
   7:30 p.m. "Irish Celebration" concert by the Troy State University Symphonic Band, Claudia Crosby Theater, free admission.
   Tuesday, March 11
   Noon Community Brown Bag events/concert on the downtown Troy square; contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 334-566-2294
   Wednesday, March 12
   9 a.m.-7 p.m. Irish Bazaar, Trojan Center second-floor lobby, contact TSU office of Advancement at 334-670-3608 (deadline for vendors to register    is March 1)
   11 a.m. Irish cooking contest, Trojan Express food court
   Noon punch and cookies reception for students, faculty and staff, Trojan Express food court
   Thursday, March 13
   7 p.m. Miss Shamrock Pageant, Claudia Crosby Theater. Admission cost is a donation to the Pike County United Way.
   Friday, March 14
   4 p.m. Check-in for Alumni, Parents and Friends Weekend, Trojan Center second-floor Lobby; (silent auction bidding begins)
   6 p.m. reception for reunion weekend participants
   6 p.m. TSU baseball vs. Stetson University, Riddle-Pace Field
   7 p.m. Student Government Association Talent Show, Trojan Center Theatre; donations the March of Dimes will be taken at the door.
   Saturday, March 15
   8 a.m. Nick Costes Troy Bank and Merchants 5/10K run, Shackelford Quad
   11 a.m. St. Patrick’s Day Parade, University Avenue
   11:30 a.m. Concert featuring "Coconut Cowboys," Shackelford Quad
   Noon Shamrock Drop athletic fund-raiser, TSU practice field
   1 p.m. T-Day game, Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium
   2 p.m. TSU baseball vs. Stetson, Riddle-Pace Field
   5:30 Reception, Trojan Center Ballroom
   6 p.m. Reunion dinner and awards presentation, Trojan Center Ballrooms.
   8 p.m. Choral Concert, Claudia Crosby Theater.