A basketball game on Saturday was the centrepiece for Laurier Brantford’s Homecoming 2022.
The game marked the first time in the university’s 23-year history that players on both teams were exclusively Brantford campus students.
“We have the current men’s extramural team playing alumni extramural players,” said Megan Jacklin, Laurier’s co-ordinator of recreation and student life.
“In previous years, we’ve always had the Waterloo (campus) sporting team come down and participate. So, this year is extra special for us.”
Jason Coolman, Laurier’s vice-president of advancement and external relations, said that about 250 tickets for the game were sold, with a blend of alumni, current students and community residents in attendance at the Laurier Brantford Y on downtown Colborne Street, which opened in 2018.
“Some of our early classes wouldn’t have had the chance to see this facility, so to be able to come and see what students have now and learn about some of the growth and new programs is an exciting thing,” he said.
“It’s also good for us to have these things so the community can see a little bit of what we’re doing.”
Other homecoming events included a drag bingo and a meeting for students of the business and technology management program.
“It’s been going for 10 years,” noted Coolman. ”
“So, it’s a bit of a milestone.”
Sarah Danielson and Katie McPhee, who both graduated in 2020 from Laurier’s social work program, wore purple-and-yellow striped overalls as they cheered and waved a sign to support Andre Thames, vice-president of programming and services at Laurier Brantford.
“We did a lot of volunteering together through the students union and he was our boss at one point,” Danielson said. “We love André.”
McPhee said the two thought homecoming would be a good time to revisit the campus.
Of note, she said, was the work done at One Market, the former downtown shopping mall that the university purchased from the city in 2014. About $11 million has been spent on its renovation.
“The One Market building has changed a lot,” said McPhee.
“There’s a lot of new student spaces, dedicated study spaces, and the lounge spaces for students have been upgraded and improved. It’s exciting for current and future students.”
Cameron and Alysha McGregor of Alliston, Ont, brought their 16-month-old son, William, to homecoming. All three wore purple and gold Laurier shirts as they watched the basketball game from an upper-level gallery.
Because of the pandemic, this year’s homecoming is the first in-person event since 2019.
“It’s also my 10th year since graduating” said Cameron, “And it’s always exciting to come back.”
The couple both graduated in 2012 from contemporary studies and the former Laurier-Nipissing concurrent education program.
Cameron is the general manager of regulatory affairs for a consulting firm in Vaughan, Ont., while Alysha will return from maternity leave next month to teach a kindergarten class.
“We always want to come when we can,” she said. “It’s fun to bring our little ones.”
Beth Gurney, Laurier’s associate director of communications and public affairs, said homecoming is a chance to renew friendships.
“It’s an opportunity for people who attended the university to come back, reconnect with old friends and faculty members they had as professors,” she said.
“It helps build up that ongoing sense of community, so people feel tied to the university and maintain those friendships over a lifetime.”