Homecoming this Weekend Celebrates 130 Years of Tradition

November 5, 2007

Early season action in a win against Northfield Mount Hermon. Photo: Mark Kelley.

Exeter is gearing up for pageantry and passion, excitement and energy, adrenalin and apprehension on November 10. This year – the 130th year of football rivalry between Exeter and Andover – will pit the two schools' varsity football, volleyball, soccer and field hockey teams against each other, on Exeter's campus. Games start at 10:30, with football slated for 2:30.

"The Exeter/Andover game is the most exciting time of the year for me," says football coach Bill Glennon, whose team has been practicing hard all season. "It's the culmination of a great week of excitement on campus. All of our teams and student body look forward to this weekend of competition. The football game is truly the Harvard/Yale game of prep schools." A pep rally and bonfire take place on Friday, just before the big games.

Girls varsity soccer on the attack against St. Paul's

Debuting this year is a pep band directed by Beverly Perriccio, a member of the music department. Perriccio, who started getting the band together less than a month ago, sees the enthusiasm building every day. "We have had three rehearsals so far. The first evening, six players showed up. We now have 12 enthusiastic members. I am hoping to get more for our last rehearsal. The more, the merrier!" she explains. The band plans to play "YMCA", "The HEY Song", "We Will Rock You" and other pep band favorites at the pep rally and football game.

Nick '10 is delighted to see a pep band formed at Exeter. "I used to love going to football games back home and watching the drumline and marching band play," he explains. "Ms. Perriccio thought that making a pep band would be a great idea, so I joined."

"The band has the potential to create some great school spirit," says fellow band member and trombone player, Sid '09. "Band members are getting excited as Exeter/Andover day approaches. New people are joining every day and we are starting to sound very 'peppy.' "

Can't come to the game? Check out the webcast!

For anyone unable to make the game in person, the live webcast of the football game brings the action home. To view the game while it's taking place, or afterwards, click on this webcast Game Link.

For alums, Homecoming is a chance to revisit old haunts and emotions. For parents, it's a chance to join in the fun and cheer on the Exeter teams. Stop by the Cage (adjacent to Love Gym), which will serve lunch to alums, parents, students and visitors from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

GO BIG RED!

Interested in learning more?

See the program of Athletic Events...
Find out more about PEA teams, including their performance so far this season...
Don't forget the Webcast Game Link for live football action on November 10...
If you're an alum thinking of coming to Homecoming, check out the alumni/ae site...