News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2019-09-20-homecoming
September 20, 2019
Community Invited to Anniversary Homecoming
As part of its 50th Anniversary year of service to the Santa Clarita Valley, College
of the Canyons welcomes the community to a special Homecoming Celebration on Saturday,
Sept. 28 at Cougar Stadium.
Festivities begin at 4 p.m., with kickoff for the game against Cerritos College scheduled
at 6 p.m. Admission and parking are both free for this event.
All Cougars fans and community members are invited to enjoy a variety of pre-game
activities including:
- 50th Anniversary T-shirt and rally towel giveaway
- Family activities, lawn games and snacks sponsored by the college’s Associated Student
Government (ASG) and student Inter-Club Council (ICC).
- Music provided by Power 106 FM
- An interactive display from the Los Angeles Country Department of Mental Health
- 50th Anniversary Photo Opportunities
- Food and concession sales from the Cougar Snack Bar, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kona Ice,
and Busy Bee Cafe
Additionally, a number of college departments and organizations will be on hand to
provide information, demonstrations and giveaways, including: The School of Personal
and Professional Learning, Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC), Early Childhood
Education Center (ECE), COC Alumni Network, TEACH Academy, and the COC Construction
Management, Nursing and Paralegal departments.
The celebration will culminate with a special on-field halftime recognition and group
photo, with all College of the Canyons students and alumni invited to participate.
Photo participants will be asked to make their way down to the field level beginning
midway through the second quarter on the night of the event.
The date of the 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration event also coincides with
two major milestones in the college’s illustrious history.
College of the Canyons officially opened to students on Sept. 29, 1969, though in
temporary facilities at nearby by William S. Hart High School. A class of nearly 750
students enrolled in the more than 150 academic courses offered that first year.
Homecoming week also marks the 45th anniversary of Cougar Stadium, which officially
opened on Sept. 21, 1974 for the football team’s first home game of the season. That
night, COC quarterback Chuck Lyon — who would go on to lead the Cougars to a National
Championship as the program’s head coach in 2004 — scored the first touchdown in Cougar
Stadium history. However, it would not be enough as COC was defeated 26-21 by visiting
L.A. Harbor College.
“I can think of no better venue to help kick start the college’s 50th Anniversary
celebration, than under the lights at Cougar Stadium,” said Lyon, who currently serves
as Dean of the college’s School of Physical Education & Kinesiology. “I invite the
entire community to come out and enjoy a night of Cougars football and good old fashioned
family fun.”