The University of Texas at Arlington will put out a big welcome home mat Nov. 6-13 for Homecoming Week 2016. Alumni, families, community members and visitors are invited back to campus to celebrate Maverick traditions, rekindle connections, and create new memories.

The weeklong celebration features men's and women's basketball games, street festival, MavSwap, chili cook-off, Homecoming 5K Walk and Run, Distinguished Alumni Awards, golf tournament and more.

The men play the Texas Southern University Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at College Park Center, 600 Spaniolo Dr. The women take on the UT San Antonio Roadrunners at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

In addition to the games, there will also be a spirited parade with colorful floats representing various University departments and student organizations; the annual Step Show is a must-see performance by fraternities and sororities. The Bash is the concert/dance party of the year and features live DJs, video sequences, as well as light and laser shows.

"A huge part of Homecoming is welcoming back our beloved Maverick alumni," said Timothy Quinnan, vice president for Student Affairs. "We have more than 100,000 alumni living and working in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and we want to have them engage in our many activities, cheer on the home team, reunite with former classmates, tour our state-of-the-art research facilities, or stop by our new state-of-the-art Career Development Center to network with alumni or share career advice with future grads."

The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. First St. The event recognizes outstanding UTA graduates for their achievements, impact on their professions, service to the broader community, and the tremendous example they have set for future generations of UTA Mavericks.

The Honorable B. Glen Whitley will receive the 2016 Distinguished Alumni and Community Service Award for his volunteer efforts supporting higher education and military veterans. UTA will also honor finance executive C. Keith Cargill, U.S. Army Major Gen. Daniel P. Hughes, Acute Care CIO Liz Johnson and JPS Physician Jocelyn Zee. Tickets can be purchased at alumni.uta.edu/daawards.

Student leader alumni are invited to attend the annual Student Leader Alumni Reception and grand opening of the Follett Student Leadership Center on Friday, Nov. 11. Mix and mingle with fellow student leaders and tour the new 2,000-square-center located on the first floor of the University Center.

Alumni of UTA fraternities and sororities can attend the Greek Alumni Reception on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the College Park Center Northwest Desk. Celebrate Homecoming with old friends while enjoying music, food, drinks, and great seats perfect for watching the Homecoming parade.

A scramble with other Mavericks, breakfast, lunch, refreshments, prizes, and 18 holes of golf gets going at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Waterchase Golf Club, 8951 Creek Run Road in Fort Worth. The registration deadline is Nov. 6.

Visit www.uta.edu/homecoming/2016/ for a full listing of Homecoming 2016 events and links to registration and ticketing sites.