28 Jan 2010 Homecoming a time to ‘reconnect’

CBC’s basketball homecoming, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, is the major sporting event each year for the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs.

“Homecoming is definitely where we get our biggest crowd each year,” said Mustang Coach Josh Austin. “Homecoming consists of events the night before and day of the games, but the games are where everything culminates.”

The Mustangs will take on Baptist Bible College out of Springfield, Mo., this year for homecoming. It will be the first time since 2004 that Baptist Bible College has made the trip to Conway. CBC is also hosting a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Game Day coinciding with homecoming, which could draw 150 additional high school students to Reddin Fieldhouse.

The Lady Mustangs start the homecoming games off at 1 p.m., followed by the homecoming court ceremony and then the men’s game.

“It’s great to have a packed house at the games,” said CBC President Terry Kimbrow. “It really is standing room only every year. Basketball is the focal point, but it’s really a small part of the homecoming weekend. It’s really about our alumni. Homecoming is the biggest alumni event each year.”

Activities for alumni start the night before the game with a casual coffee house experience on campus. A luncheon is planned for the day of the games.

“All the activities we have planned are designed to give alumni a chance to visit and reconnect with friends that you may only see once a year,” said CBC Alumni President Jesslynn Spence. “The longer you’re out of college, the busier your life gets. It’s easy to lose touch with your college friends. Coming back for homecoming each year is just really a good time to relive your college days. It’s really a neat time to come back and just remember.”

It’s an exciting time for CBC Athletics with homecoming this month and the start of NAIA play during the 2010-11 academic year. CBC announced the move to the NAIA in November.

“Right now we are considered an NAIA member, but we’re on probation for a year as we transition,” Austin said. “Next year we will be eligible to compete in postseason play. The move to NAIA will really help in recruiting. Last year I recruited a kid, and I know for a fact that we didn’t get him because we weren’t NAIA. This year I recruited a kid, and we got him because we are NAIA. The move will help us get better athletes into our systems.”

Despite a record enrollment in the fall, CBC still provides and highlights its small school atmosphere.

“It really is like the Cheers slogan because everyone here knows your name,” Austin said.

For more information, please visit www.cbc.edu or call the alumni office at 501.329.6872, ext. 117, or email [email protected].