I don’t have to tell you what week it is.

Look around campus, look at the ads in this newspaper or look at the happy looks on everyone’s face.

It’s midterm week!

No, I’m just kidding. It’s Homecoming.

While most people are looking forward to the Homecoming festivities (drinking, drinking, more drinking), the Pep Rally, the football game or the return of Tony Romo, I am looking forward to Sunday.

I know what you are thinking.

Sunday? Sunday? That’s the day to nurse your hangover after a long Homecoming Week. No one looks forward to that. Why would anyone look forward to Sunday?

Sunday is the soccer doubleheader at Lakeside Field. The women’s team will lead things off with a 12 p.m. match against Jacksonville State, while the men will have the finale against the Bradley Braves at 2:30 p.m.

I have been critical of the athletic department scheduling in the past. For the last couple years, I have complained about how most of the sports not named football have not gotten as many opportunities to play during Family and Homecoming weekend.

With Homecoming this year, I have a lot less to complain about.

In addition to both soccer teams playing at home, men’s and women’s swimming will have an alumni meet and rugby will host Missouri at 11 a.m. Saturday as the precursor to the big football game.

Like Family Weekend, alumni, parents and friends will come to Charleston to take part in homecoming activities. For the last couple years, men’s soccer has been shafted for both weekends.

This soccer doubleheader is a great opportunity for the players.

The community has traditionally been extremely supportive of both the men and women’s soccer teams. Their work in the community with youth leagues has led to healthy crowds at weekend games.

This Homecoming offers another opportunity. Visitors to the school who do not normally get the chance to see the Panthers play will be in town. I expect the weekend crowd for both Panther squads to be bigger than any other game this year.

Both teams have had their ups and downs so far this season, but a conference match at home is always good entertainment for anyone looking for something to do on campus.

So, on Sunday, when you are trying to piece together what you did the night before, I will be at Lakeside Field watching soccer.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or dscusack@eiu.edu.