Concordia Homecoming 2013: Celebrating in Gold!

SELMA, Alabama -- When the Concordia College Hornets hit the field for Homecoming 2013 Saturday, Oct. 5, they will have much to celebrate!

One cause for celebration: a phenomenal present. The Concordia College Hornets will be suiting up for homecoming in the uniform of a professional football team!

The Concordia College Alabama Hornets will be wearing Green Bay Packer gold pants and specialized socks that arrived as a gift from the Wisconsin team Wednesday Oct. 2.

"We are so blessed by this gift--it's like Christmas all over again," said head Coach Don Lee. "We will be wearing the Green Bay Packer uniforms for Homecoming!"

The Green Bay Packers were responding to the Sept 21 bus fire that destroyed all the football teams uniforms and equipment. Because we share the same colors-- green and gold -- the connection was made through our sister school, Concordia University Wisconsin.

This Homecoming we also celebrate: Christian faith. Community. Compassion. College Life.

Christian faith is central to Concordia College. Faith and the power of prayer was seen in a mighty way this season. The team prays before every game. Led by Coach Don Lee, they prayed for safe travel before boarding the bus to go to a game with Miles College on Saturday, Sept. 21.

On the way to the game, the bus caught fire and was completely destroyed. Thanks to God, our players and coaches safely escaped the fire. No one was injured or hurt.

Community extends across the country, we learned, when we heard from so many people responding to the news of the bus fire. Community includes our sister college Concordia University Wisconsin, who connected us with the Green Bay Packers. Wearing the same colors--green and gold, the Packers responded to our loss by sending boxes of gold pants and special socks in time for homecoming.

Community includes big business, too. The CCA Hornets hit the football field Thursday, Sept. 26 -- just six days after the fire destroyed all our equipment -- outfitted in completely new uniforms, thanks to the athletic company, Adidas. Adidas volunteered over 100 each of jerseys pants, socks and cleats with our team colors with school name -- in time for the first post-fire game. The day before the team had been practicing in shorts and tennis shoes.

We celebrate our local community and local schools who responded: Jeff Davis High School, Montgomery (team colors green & gold) who loaned jerseys, and Morgan Academy, Selma, who loaned equipment. We celebrate good coverage by our community newspaper, the Selma Times-Journal, and others dedicated to getting our story told.

We celebrate compassion. We received so many prayers and good wishes from folks across the country, and especially from churches, individuals and schools and members of our church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We are grateful for the kind words and support.

Finally, we celebrate college life -- a day to re-connect with our new friends, and long-standing friends, alumni, students, faculty and staff, as you join us for Concordia College Alabama Homecoming 2013.

The homecoming weekend kicks off as we lift our praise to the Lord, Friday at 11 am. with chapel, followed by a pep rally! A Jambalaya fest featuring the Louisiana staple will be held on campus that afternoon, provided by Pastor Paul Ernewein of The Village Lutheran Church in Lacombe, Louisiana. Friday night is the Alumni Ball at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 at the door.

Saturday's festivities open with a showcase of bands at the park at 9 a.m, along with lots of food and fun. Game starts at noon; halftime features our homecoming court and the CCA Magnificent Marching Band.

CCA Hornets vs. Ave Marie University Gyrenes
Homecoming, noon Sat., Oct. 5.
Memorial Stadium, Bloch Park.
Tickets $10.

COURTESY CONCORDIA COLLEGE-SELMA MEDIA RELATIONS