WEST PLAINS, Mo. – There will be much to see and do – and eat – before the annual Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball homecoming game Saturday, Jan. 20, at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St.

Activities to celebrate the 25th year of Grizzly Athletics begin earlier that week when blue bows are hung on lamp posts downtown and blue lights strung in campus buildings to give off a blue glow at night, organizers said. The Grizzly House and Grizzly Lofts residence halls will host a window painting contest for students, and faculty and staff will be decorating their office and classroom doors. The door decorating contest is being sponsored Grizzly Madness, the official student pep club, organizers said.

BANNER CONTEST

Missouri State-West Plains’ various student organizations will participate in a banner contest during homecoming week, as well. Banners will be judged, and the winning student organization will be announced at halftime of the homecoming game. Representatives from the organizations also will show off their banners during the Parade of Banners prior to the crowning of the homecoming king and queen, which will take place at halftime, as well.

FRIENDS CHILI SUPPER

Grizzly fans young and old are invited to come to the civic center exhibit hall beginning at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and enjoy a hearty bowl of chili at the Friends of the Garnett Library’s annual chili supper, organizers said. Sponsored by Wendy’s and Southern Bank, the event raises funds for the Garnett Library on the Missouri State-West Plains campus.

Tickets are $7.50 for adults, $5 for any student, and free for children age four and under. The meal includes all-you-can-eat chili with all of the fixings, as well as dessert and something to drink. Tickets may be purchased at the door that evening.

Complimentary game tickets also will be given to those attending who do not already have passes for the game, organizers said.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Area residents who purchase chili supper tickets or who already have game tickets can enjoy a host of other activities also planned prior to the game. These include taking pictures with Grizz, meeting the homecoming court at 6 p.m. and much more, organizers said.

Family, friends, students and area residents are all welcome to come and mingle with the candidates before the game, which will pit the Grizzlies against Region 16 rival Three Rivers College of Poplar Bluff. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Members of the homecoming court also will gather in the civic center Dogwood Room immediately following the crowning to visit with those attending the game, organizers said. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the chili supper, contact the Friends of the Garnett Library at 417-255-7940 or email FriendsOfGarnettLibrary@MissouriState.edu. More information about Friends can be found at the organization’s website.

For more information about other homecoming activities, contact the Missouri State-West Plains student life and development office at 417-255-7233.