MSU's homecoming week activities are about to begin.
The week takes off with the Spartan Sprint 5K on Sunday, followed by a week of activities hosted by campus departments, student groups and the MSU Alumni Association.
Regina Cross, travel and events coordinator of the MSU Alumni Association, is one of the organizers of the homecoming week festivities.
"My primary responsibility is handling our alumni travel program, but I also oversee the homecoming committee," Cross said.
One of the events that the committee organizes is MSUAA's Green and White Brunch, a large tailgate before the game.
"It's one big pep rally. We have the band there and cheerleaders and the football coach comes in and speaks," Cross said.
A couple committee members organize the selection of 10 homecoming court students who will take part in many of the activities leading up to homecoming and will be introduced during halftime at Saturday's football game against the University of Wisconsin.
The homecoming parade is the largest event that Cross and the homecoming committee organize. About 150 groups participate in the parade.
"A lot of student groups, a lot of community groups, a lot of sports teams and university officials take part in the parade," Cross said. "It's become a big event, and we probably have more than 15,000 people attend the parade."
MSUAA just started a new homecoming week tradition called "Green Glow."
"We're asking alumni, students, university committee and alumni around the United States or around the world to switch out either a porch light or some light with a green bulb and have it shine green during the week of homecoming," Cross said.
The Student Alumni Foundation and MSUAA are distributing green bulbs to students and alumni while supplies last.
"There's so much excitement in the air, especially during the parade. It's hard to explain it. The first year that I was involved in coordinating the parade, I was just blown away by the excitement in the air, and everyone's just happy and excited."
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