Are you ready to roar? Are you ready to rumble?

Homecoming week has finally arrived! We’re just a few days away from our biggest celebration of the year.

Panther students, alumni, retirees, parents, and faculty and staff are geared up to make this the best Homecoming yet! Show off your spirit and share your best pictures of the week on social media. Use #FIUHC and post photos on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Make sure you visit our FIU Sports website for a complete list of Panther games going on from the week of October 12-18, including games for soccer, volleyball, cross country and of course football!

Remember to set reminders on your smartphone for the Homecoming festivities that will take place throughout the week.

Here are a few highlights from this week’s biggest and most exciting events:

• Are you ready to party your paws off? On Sunday, Oct. 12, the highly anticipated Panthermonium Concert featuring electronic music legend Tiesto and hip-hop recording artist Ty Dolla $ign is sure to be the most talked about event of this year! Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• The FIU Studio Jazz Big Band, directed by Jim Hacker, presents a night of swinging jazz standards and contemporary compositions at the Jazz at the Wertheim Serieson Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.
• Come see your fellow FIU students, faculty, staff and retirees take center stage and dazzle their audience as we celebrate Panthers Got Talent, taking place on Thursday, Oct. 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. At this event, we will also be crowning the first-ever Faculty/Staff Homecoming King and Queen!
• Two of the biggest names in stand-up are ready to make all Panthers laugh at this year’s Panther Prowl. Join us for a live performance by D.L. Hughley and Eddie Griffin on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
• Join us for the Odyssey Lounge Networking Soiree hosted in collaboration with the FIU Black Alumni Chapter, Black Student Union, the Caribbean Student Association and the National Pan-Hellenic Council on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.Click here to register.
• Dust off your leg warmers! The Silver Pride 25 Year Reunion Weekend will take place from Friday, Oct. 17 to Saturday, Oct. 18. For more information, visitFIUalumni.com/silverpride or call 305-348-0159.

On the big day, Saturday, Oct. 18, Homecoming Day, there is also a day FULL of activities.

The day will start off with the FIU Proud Parent and Family Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Stadium Club at The Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium. Join Roary, the FIU cheerleaders, and me for a catered brunch, giveaways and other great entertainment.

This year, alumnus Ian Grocher ’99, aka DJ Irie, Miami Heat DJ and FIU Torch Award winner, will serve as the Grand Marshal of our Homecoming parade. I encourage all of you to join us on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1:45 p.m. at the designated cheer zones and share your Panther Spirit!

After the parade, celebrate with your fellow Panthers and a host of FIU units and colleges at the Tailgate Village.

You don’t want to miss Roar Lounge, the official alumni pre-game party beginning at 2:30 p.m. This unique tailgating experience will allow you to escape from the masses and indulge in food, beverages and music with your fellow Panthers in a chic Miami atmosphere. Plus, you’ll enjoy a prime viewing location for the 2014 Homecoming Parade! Visit FIUalumni.com/roar to learn more.

There will also be several other official tailgates:

• School of Journalism and Mass Communication Tailgate in Lot 9
• College of Education Tailgate in Lot 6 featuring delicious guava BBQ pork sliders, fabulous drinks and amazing prizes! Take a ton of pictures and be sure to hashtag #FIUHCCOE on all of your social media.
• Broward Alumni Chapter Tailgate in Tamiami Park
• Veteran’s Alumni Chapter Tailgate in Tamiami Park

For those interested in organizing your own tailgate, tailgating on FIU grounds is filled to capacity. If you’d like to tailgate in Tamiami Park, here is an overview of our official tailgate procedures and regulations.

All events will culminate at this year’s Homecoming game, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. against Marshall University at FIU Stadium. Be ready to trample that Herd and demonstrate just how loud Panthers can roar! Click here to purchase your tickets or call 305-348-GAME.

Homecoming week offers an event for every Panther. For a full list of activities, please visit: http://hc.fiu.edu.

Let’s come together and show how FIU is Worlds Ahead!

Go Panthers!