The competition could be fierce on and off the field at Hyack Homecoming 2019.
Hyacks Homecoming returns to Mercer Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13, featuring a lineup of activities for folks of all ages.
“We are very excited that we are able to provide the community with a great family-friendly event, and one which has become a tradition,” said Don Hauka, who helps out with Hyacks’ communications.
The pre-game party, which begins at 5 p.m., includes an alumni flag football challenge, a bouncy castle, face painting, booths and displays, a barbecue concession, and a chance to check out a car that will be raffled off that night. One of the pre-game highlights is the annual tug of war competition, which sees teams battling for the coveted F.F. Richards Jr. Memorial Trophy, which is named for the first Hyack – the city’s first fire chief.
Hauka said the tug of war tradition is a chance for teams “to see who has more pull” in the Royal City.
After Team Union (aka More Than They Bargained For) beat Team City Haulers in last year’s competition, there’s been an empty space on a shelf in Mayor Jonathan Cote’s office where the trophy once stood.
“Usually this comes down to a tug of war between the City Haulers and More Than They Bargained For, but we have some new teams in here,” Hauka told city council Aug. 26. “Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation has said that they will be participating, and the firefighters’ union may field their own team. So we have some competition there. And of course, the firefighters are traditionally the mainstay of your team.”
Cote said the city hall team is looking to reclaim its title and return the trophy to his office.
“Although it appears that our firefighters might be defecting from Team City Haulers, I have got word today that Mr. India and his colleagues at Royal City Wrestling might be joining Team City Haulers. That should make things interesting,” he said. “If you want to see men in tights doing a tug of war competition, Hyacks Homecoming might be something you might not want to miss.”
For Homecoming 2019, the Hyacks are inviting alumni from the 50s, 60s and 70s to join the varsity team on the field at kick-off time.
“One of the themes is that this is the last year of the old high school being there as a backdrop,” Hauka told the Record. “It’s kind of looking at the past and looking at the future, the whole building thing – building champions and a new school.”
After skydivers drop the game ball (weather permitting), the Hyacks will vie against G.W. Graham from Chilliwack in this year’s Homecoming game. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.
Hauka said the halftime show features a “legendary” performance by the White Spot Pipe Band – a pipe, drum and dancer band comprised of performers aged five to 18.
