WOODLAND HILLS : Pierce Homecoming to Focus on Alumni

In an effort to bring Pierce College alumni back to the fold, the school is reviving its homecoming festivities after a hiatus of more than a decade.

Homecoming ‘93, sponsored by the newly formed Alumni Connection, will be held on the Pierce College field before the football team’s second home game, Oct. 16, against Compton College.

Although games in previous years have been dubbed “homecoming” matches, there were no efforts to bring large numbers of alumni back for them, said Alumni Connection head Bill Clark.

Clark, Class of ‘64, said he helped organize the alumni association this summer to bring in new revenues to his financially struggling alma mater.

“Pierce is not the kind of school I left,” Clark said. “It kind of breaks my heart to be back on campus. Some of the buildings haven’t seen a coat of paint for 20 years, since before the last homecoming.”

Clark said he hopes to draw 1,000 students, alumni and local residents to the event, which will include line dancing, a barbecue and the crowning of a homecoming king and queen. Activities will start at 5 p.m. Tickets are $4 for the dance and game, and an extra $6 for the barbecue.

Athletic Director Marian McWilliams said security will be tighter than usual at the event, to prevent a repeat of the brawl that broke out after Saturday’s football game between Pierce College and L.A. Harbor College in Wilmington.

That melee left one Pierce coach in the hospital and two others injured.

“We’ve talked to the team, and we’re going to have extra security on hand,” McWilliams said. “We’re taking very strong measures to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”