Tech Miners To Take Center Stage

By John Larson

SOCORRO - Socorro loves its parades, and this weekend New Mexico Tech students get their turn again by hosting the 49ers Parade as part of the annual 49ers Celebration and Alumni Homecoming.
The parade’s theme is “NMT Superstar!” and features entries from civic groups, organizations, and businesses both local and statewide. This year’s Grand Marshals are Dr. Eileen Comstock and Warren Marts.
Eileen and Warren, both New Mexico Tech alumni, are a couple well-known to Socorro audiences as supporters of New Mexico Tech’s Music Program and participants in Tech musical activities. Comstock directed Fiddler on the Roof and her husband directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Over the years, they have sung in choruses and played in orchestras on countless occasions.
Comstock also directs the Socorro Community Concert Band, which has occasionally been offered as a Tech Community College Class.  Most recently, they contributed to a fund to purchase a piano for the music program.
According to organizers, 49ers weekend is a School of Mines tradition in Socorro going back at least 70 years.
The three-day celebration focuses on activities primarily for returning alumni and current students, but there are a few events open to the public.
At 4:30 p.m. Friday, the current Pygmies take on the “Ancestors” in the Black and Blue Rugby Match on the Tech Athletic Field. Following the match is the annual Rugby Football Club dinner at the Capitol Bar at 6:30 p.m. Contact Coach Dave Wheelock for reservations at 835-5854.
Following the parade on Saturday is the annual soccer game pitting the current Miners against Miners alumni at 2 p.m. on the athletic field.
A discussion on the collapse of the World Trade Center towers is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the third-floor ballroom of Joseph A. Fidel Center. Author of the book 9/11: Blueprint for Truth, The Architecture of Destruction, Richard Gage of the American Institute of Architects, and Kathleen McGrade, a 1979 alumna in metallurgical engineering with give the 30-minute presentation.
David Thomas, class of ‘77, ‘79, and ‘80, will give a 30-minute response. Both talks will be followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
For the industrious - and physically fit - the ‘M’ Mountain Run to “Paint the M” is Sunday morning. Runners are to meet in the ERMTC parking lot at 9 a.m. Registration is required by noon Friday in Brown Hall’s room 200 or by email to ltripp@admin.nmt.edu. The first 20 people or teams to reach the M with a bag of lime wins $50. Anyone 18 and older may take part in the run, but to qualify for a prize, the participant must be enrolled as an New Mexico Tech student in good standing. Hamburgers and soft drinks will be served at the top of the mountain.
Wrapping each day of events is one of the most popular parties of the year – the original Vigilante Band playing Thursday through Saturday nights at the Capitol Bar.
The Vigilantes was formed in 1975 by seven New Mexico Tech students, and reforms every year for the 49ers celebration.
Vigilantes will play from 9 p.m. till “late,” at the Cap.
The city’s tourism director, Deborah Dean, said Socorro Transportation will be offering free rides within the city limits during 49ers Weekend on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. 
The van will stop at the Plaza at 10 p.m., then at Ranchers and along California Street at 10:30 p.m. and will continue these half hour stops until 2 a.m.
“So please designate a driver or let us drive you home,” Dean said.

Tech Miners To Take Center Stage