By Brooke Ortale | @UTAMavs

ARLINGTON, Texas â€" The City of Arlington will bleed blue and orange next week as a number of events, contests and games will take place during of UT Arlington's popular Homecoming Week activities.

Both Maverick basketball teams tip off their seasons during Homecoming week as the men host Texas Southern Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and the women bring in UTSA Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.

It's a positive atmosphere around College Park Center as the season openers near. The Mavericks boast the two Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year honorees as Rebekah VanDijk and Kevin Hervey both received the ultimate preseason recognition from the conference. The men are preseason favorites to win the SBC, while the Lady Mavs are picked to finish third.

"We can have a great weekend and get this season started off on the right foot," women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich said. "To be able knock the attendance record out of the park would be awesome."

Opening Homecoming Week in grand fashion, the men of Pi Kappa Alpha, Student Affairs and UTA Athletics host Home Run for the Heart on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Allan Saxe Field. The event consists of a home run derby, food trucks, vendors, raffles and games for all ages. It will raise money for the Texas Heart Institute, Erica Hochmeister Memorial Scholarship and UT Arlington Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Downtown Arlington Homecoming Challenge runs throughout the entire week with your chance to vote on the most spirited business in town on the special Homecoming Facebook page.

Join President Karbhari for lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m. at the Palo Duro Lounge in the University Center. Unable to make the event? You can tweet your questions using the hashtag #PizzaWithThePres.

Head over to the University Center Mall at 12 Noon on Wednesday for the Chili Cook-Off and Mav Swap. If you can't make it to the cook-off, keep up via social media as UTA women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich is taking over the UT Arlington snapchat during the event.

UTA is proud of its alumni and their accomplishmens. The annual Distinguished Alumni Awards will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 10 in the Bluebonnett Ballroom.

Prior to the start of the men's basketball game Saturday, the Homecoming Parade promises to be an event filled with school spirit. The procession begins at 5:45 p.m. with floats, marching bands, special guests and the opportunity to win a number of prizes.

With Lady Maverick Basketball being the final event of Homecoming Week, the Mavs look to close it out with a bang.

"It's exciting to play on the end of homecoming," Gerlich said. "All week long it's going to be building up and we want to have a great crowd at the parade and then going into the men's game. I hope people will stick around and then on Sunday I hope people will stick around and come and see what we have to offer as well.

Maverick Club members are encouraged to call Kris Wood or Daniel Sanders for questions on parking or discounted rates.

Tickets for basketball games can purchased at UTATickets.com.