10/09/01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Heather Johnson, special events coordinator, UNI-Dome, (319) 273-3591

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors/news directors: 200 dpi JPEG images of Kenny Chesney and Sara Evans are available on the Web at: http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/chesney.jpeg http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/evans.jpeg

Photography will be allowed during the first three songs; but photographers may not use flashes. To make arrangements to attend the concert, please contact Heather Johnson, (319) 273-3166.

Country-western great Kenny Chesney to perform at UNI-Dome

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Kenny Chesney, winner of the 1997 Academy of Country Music award for top new male vocalist, will be in concert Tues., Nov. 13, beginning at 8 p.m., at the UNI-Dome.

Chesney has recorded a series of platinum and gold CDs, including "Me and You," "I Will Stand" and "Everywhere We Go." Among his No. 1 hits are "Fall in Love," "A Chance," and "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." His most recent CD, "Greatest Hits," released in September 2000, has gone platinum and spawned a No. 1 hit with "It Don't Happen Twice."

Opening for Chesney will be Sara Evans, who was nominated for the 2000 Country Music Association's "Horizon Award." Her 1997 debut CD, "Three Chords and the Truth" earned her a "Top New Female Vocalist" nomination from the Academy of Country Music, and her single, "No Place That Far" was a No. 1 hit in 1998. Her latest CD, "Born to Fly," was released in October 2000.

For security purposes, no bags or purses will be allowed inside the UNI-Dome. Smoking and drinking are not allowed.

Tickets for the concert go one sale Wed., Oct. 10, and are $25 for the general public, and $20 for UNI students. They are available at the Dome, the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Maucker Union, the Strayer-Wood Theatre; by calling (319) 273-DOME; or by logging on to http://tickets.uni.edu.

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10/9/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Mike Bobeldyk, UNI Maucker Union Program Coordinator, (319) 273-5888

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Week-long UNI Homecoming celebration culminates with weekend filled with activities

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Homecoming week celebration got underway Sunday, Oct. 7, and will continue through Sunday, Oct. 14, with a variety of activities and events.

Key events leading up to the weekend celebration include:

"The Real Deal Crazy Game Show," offering students the opportunity to win up to $400 in cash and prizes, to be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the Maucker Union Coffeehouse.

Inflatable Fun Day, to be held in the Maucker Union Plaza, from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 10.

"Panther Party," the annual Homecoming Dance, from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Maucker Union Expansion.

Friday, Oct. 12, has been declared "Purple and Gold Spirit Day," with students, faculty and staff encouraged to support UNI by wearing school colors. That night, at 8:15 p.m., Lawther Field will be the site for a pep rally, "Panther Cry" finals, and fireworks, in preparation for Saturday's football game against Southern Illinois. Beginning at 11:45 p.m., students will gather for campaniling -- the tradition of being kissed under the Campanile at midnight.

Saturday's events will start with a 5K cross-country run, at 8 a.m., just west of the UNI-Dome, followed by the Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. Grand Marshals will be two former UNI presidents, Constantine "Deno" Curris, 1983-1995, and James W. Maucker, 1950-1970. The parade will start near Cedar Falls High School, West12^th and Division Streets, at 10 a.m., and end at West 23^rd and Campus Streets.

The Saturday afternoon football game will kick-off at 4:05 p.m. Following the game, "Fun in the Union" will be held from 8 a.m. to midnight and "Music on College Hill" will take place from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m., on the corner of West 23^rd and College Streets. The day will conclude with the Panther Midnight Breakfast in the Maucker Union Coffeehouse, a free breakfast bar for students, from midnight to 2 a.m.

Ending the Homecoming weekend, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, "Carrot Top" will perform at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. For tickets call (319) 273-SHOW.

Throughout the week, "Pennies in a Pick-Up" will take place outside Maucker Union and at all Homecoming events. Pennies placed in the pick-up will be donated to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization and to the Make a Wish Foundation.

For more information regarding Homecoming activities, contact Mike Bobeldyk at

(319) 273-5888.

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