Homecoming, 1963

November 1 and 2 were brisk, shivery days but hundreds of alumni donned overcoats and gloves to return to the campus for one of the best Homecoming programs in the University's history.

University men were treated to a University "first" when they accepted an invitation from Westhampton alumnae to witness a water ballet, the firnt official function of the new Fanny G. Crenshaw swimming pool housed in the new wing of Keller Hall.

It was a weekend loaded with activity for the returning graduates, who were treated to a parade, dance and two football games in addition to the ballet. It was a program organized under the able leadership of chairman Ted Adams, Jr., '52.

The ballet got off to a splashing start at 8:30 p.m. Friday as some 20 \Xlesthampton students performed a ballet with the theme of "Autumn Leaves." The colored lights and brightly colored costumes made a d~zzling sight as the swimmers executed their movements in the pool. The walls of the pool were decorated with huge red and . gold leaves.

On Saturday morning, alumni football fans got an early look at the pigskin prowess of the Baby Spiders, as the freshmen trounced the East Carolina freshmen 36-6 in a 10:00 a.m. game on Millhiser Field. The cheering grads ringed the field with cups of steaming coffee received at the 9 a.m. registration . On the Westhampton side of the lake, alumnae and friends witnessed the dedication of the Emily Gardner Memor.iai.l Room in the new Crenshaw swimming pool wing of Keller Haill. Former Virginia governor Colgate W. Darden delivered the dedicatory speech a,t 10: 30 a.m.

Graduates from both sides of the lake gathered at Millhiser Gymnasium at noon for a tasty luncheon to prepare them for the afternoon football game.

Leaving the campus after the luncheon, they went to City Stadium to witness a pre-game spectacle before the gridiron tilt with VPI. Homecoming queen Gayle Jones led a parade of floats, marching bands and the cadet corps of VPI.

The Spider-Gobbler clash was one of the most tightly-fought football battles of the season, with the Techmen squeezing out a 14-13 victory before a roaring crowd. Spider fans were still replaying the game when Homecoming festivies would up with a 9:30 p.m. dance at the John Marshall Hotel.