It鈥檚 been nearly 40 years since Judi Rice (BPE, 鈥�75) last played varsity sports. But in the immortal words of this former AV俱乐部 field-hockey and basketball athlete:聽 Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.
聽鈥淵ou find that with most AV俱乐部 varsity alumni,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e love to support our teams, and our university. It鈥檚 a common bond we share.鈥�
Rice is looking forward to renewing that bond with her fellow Tigers at the inaugural Black & Gold Homecoming Social on Friday, October 4 at the Grad House. Open to everyone, Rice describes it as a unique opportunity for teammates and classmates to reconnect while demonstrating their enthusiasm for varsity athletics.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a fun evening and people are really excited about it,鈥� says Rice. 鈥淚鈥檝e been receiving confirmations from alumni as far away as Ottawa, so we鈥檙e expecting a great turnout.鈥�
The social is being hosted by the AV俱乐部 Black & Gold Club, the university鈥檚 quintessential Tigers fan club. It鈥檚 an impressive team in and of itself, including many lifelong Tigers fans and a stellar array of past and present all-star student-athletes. And like any great team, Black & Gold members are united by a common goal: helping varsity athletes pursue academic and athletic excellence.聽
Since the club launched more than 30 years ago, it has provided financial assistance to the varsity tutorial program, the highly coveted third year 鈥淒鈥� awards, and 14 university varsity teams.
聽鈥淭here鈥檚 a strong desire among all members to give back to the university any way we can, and this is a great way to support our student athletes, whether you live in Halifax or out of town,鈥� observes Rice, the current president of the club. 鈥淲e do that through financial donations, attendance at events, or both.鈥�
Giving back, celebrating heritage
The Black & Gold Club holds two receptions each year: a meet-and-greet for first-year athletes in September and a reception for graduating athletes at the end of their studies. But Homecoming offers a unique opportunity to bring club members, athletes and Tigers fans together to celebrate AV俱乐部鈥檚 rich heritage in university sports.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something about athletics that truly deepens the university experience,鈥� says Michael Perry, director of alumni engagement. 鈥淲hether you play or watch, it creates a strong sense of pride and community. This social embraces that spirit, offering an opportunity to get together with alumni who share a passion for varsity competition.鈥�
Activities are still being planned for the event, but Rice promises that club executives will be on hand to chat, and there will be information on the upcoming varsity season so that everyone is up to date on their beloved Tigers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that it turns into one of the most popular Homecoming events and brings out lots of AV俱乐部 alumni,鈥� adds Rice. 鈥淚f so, we look forward to hosting it each year with some exciting new twists and turns.鈥�
The inaugural Black & Gold Homecoming Social will be held Friday, October 4 at the AV俱乐部 Grad House at 1253 LeMarchant Street from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Space is somewhat limited for the event, so . For more information about the event, or Black & Gold Club membership, please contact Judi Rice at ricejude@hotmail.com.