In just one week, alumni will be “Streaking Back to Martin” to participate in the first themed Homecoming in UTM’s history.

This year’s theme is reminiscent of the 1970s, when streaking around campus was a common pastime, at least for a short time.

“We’re doing the first ever decade-long reunion,” said Charley Deal, director of Alumni Relations.

“You never know, we may have an impromptu streaker. We’re trying to avoid anyone streaking, but there’s not much we can do to stop it.”

Although the reunion’s theme focuses on the ’70s, the traditional Homecoming activities are still intact.

“One of the big things is Quad City, which is something new we’re doing after the parade,” Deal said. The first Quad City will include at least 22 tents set up on the Quad from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 9. In the center of the Quad alumni will have two large ’70s themed tents. Deal also said that Quad City will have carnival games, a petting zoo, a rock-climbing wall sponsored by the UTM ROTC and other events.

“David McBeth will be setting up a pottery tent, where alumni pottery will be displayed, and people will actually be able to sit down at a pottery wheel,” Deal said. “I hope the highlight will be Quad City.”

Deal said the need for an event like Quad City is great; the time between the Saturday morning parade and the football game was too lengthy, he said. He hopes Quad City will make that time more enjoyable.

UT Junior College alumni will also have a special reunion on Homecoming. The UTJC alumni, active from 1927 to 1951, lobbied for UTM to become a four-year university. UTJC became a four-year institution in 1951 through a resolution by the Tennessee Legislature.

Among the many bands that will be performing on the two music stages during the Homecoming weekend will be Today’s Sensation, a group that will make its own reunion after nearly 30 years of separation. The music group was together while at UTM and made USO tours in the 1970s.

“There are people that really love this university, and this is a chance for them to come together,” Deal said.

Homecoming week activities will begin next Monday, Oct. 4, with a picnic, rope pull, the SGA cookout, a bonfire and a fireworks display.

Elections for Homecoming queen will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 5, and students can vote for one of the eight candidates on the Internet and, from noon to 3 p.m., in the legislative chamber of the UC. Online voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at sga.utm.edu. Students should use the 960 number on their Skyhawk cards as the username and their six-digit birthdays as the password.

Homecoming court will be announced on the Friday of the Homecoming pep rally, Oct. 8, and the queen will be announced at the Homecoming football game against Jacksonville State at 2 p.m., Oct. 9.