Published: Saturday, July 27, 2013, 1:46a.m. Updated 9 hours ago

McKeesport Area High School and its alumni association are revamping the district's homecoming celebration.

Alumni, students and district residents are invited to take part in a full day of activities promoting Tiger pride on Sept. 7 as the McKeesport Area Tigers football team takes on the Woodland Hills Wolverines at 1 p.m. at Weigle Schaeffer Memorial Stadium.

The 2013 season will mark the return of George Smith as the Tigers coach. Smith left his position three years ago after a long and successful career on the McKeesport sidelines. He recently was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

The football program has such a rich history in our school district, McKeesport Area communications specialist Kristen Giran said. We are planning a day of activities that will bring people together from all five of our district communities (McKeesport, White Oak, Dravosburg, Versailles and South Versailles Township). We want the whole community to feel welcome in our schools.

District officials and the McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association are planning a catered tailgate picnic from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the high school's inner courtyard. Tickets $6 for adults and $2 for children can be purchased in the athletic office. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The district's homecoming parade will make a comeback before the Saturday afternoon game. Students will be on hand to lead tours of the high school, and there will be Kids Zone activities on the reserved side of the stadium during the game for the youngest Tigers-to-be.

We hope the entire community comes out to visit our high school, Superintendent Timothy Gabauer said. If you graduated or your children graduated 20 or even just 10 years ago, you will be amazed at the changes in the educational facility provided to our students today.

A special halftime salute will honor members of the school's 1994 and 2005 state championship football teams, current Hall of Fame members, and the new inductees.

This is something different, athletic director Charley Kiss said. It will be exciting to have people here from past Tiger teams, past champions. With this being an afternoon game, we hope more alumni and more people from the community can attend.

View post:
McKeesport Area, alumni group plan revamped homecoming