College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, at front center, joins members of PC’s former club football program who united during Homecoming Weekend 2008.
Spirits were high at a reception for young alumni in McPhail’s Entertainment Facility in the Slavin Center.
From left, PC women’s ice hockey Head Coach Bob Deraney joins longtime program supporters the Hon. William C. Leary ’60 and his wife, Emily, at a brunch with Father Shanley.

More than 500 alumni, family members, and friends of the College “came home” February 15-17 for Homecoming Weekend 2008. Whether a recent graduate or the grandparent of a current student visiting the campus for the first time, alumni of all ages got together to celebrate what it means to be a Friar.

The weekend’s events included a reception where 14 former Friar student-athletes and coaches were inducted into the Providence College Athletics Hall of Fame and guided tours of the new Concannon Fitness Center.

There were social gatherings for young alumni on and off campus, and Friar sports fans were able to cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey teams at home games.

In addition, more than 40 members of the College’s former club football team reunited for the weekend. Most of the former players represented class years from the 1970s through mid-1980s. The club program was founded in 1964 by Rev. James A. Driscoll, O.P. ’49, retired assistant professor of theology.

Other Homecoming Weekend 2008 events included an A Cappella Club concert that played to a full house in the Ryan Family Concert Hall in the Smith Center for the Arts. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the College’s all-female, a cappella group Anaclastic.

In addition, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 hosted “Brunch with the President,” which provided an opportunity for alumni to hear Father Shanley’s vision for the College.

“It was a great weekend for all Friars of the past, present, and future,” said Robert Ferreira ’83, assistant vice president for alumni relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement. “We hope to continue this tradition by adding bigger and better campus events in the future, and we always welcome our alumni back to visit anytime throughout the year.”

To view visual memories of Homecoming Weekend 2008, click here.

The Office of Institutional Advancement also welcomes your feedback about the weekend. To fill out a short survey, click here.