The roar of fans packed in Beaver Stadium for October's homecoming game has dissipated, but preparations for next fall's homecoming -- including a Band Bash --are already underway.

For the next 10 months, a group of 15 students will work to prepare for homecoming weekend, scheduled for Oct. 8 to Oct. 13. The homecoming football game will be played against the University of Wisconsin on Oct. 13.

While planning is still in the beginning stages, a few changes have already been established.

"There's a couple of events that we're deciding not to do: Penn State Idol and HUB-A-Palooza," Overall Chairwoman Jennifer Rosenberg said.

Instead, the committee will host a Band Bash, which will be open to all students, around the time of homecoming. The committee is also planning a couple of new activities scattered through spring and fall, Rosenberg said.

The 2007 Overall Homecoming Committee, which was selected Jan. 19, met Sunday to select a homecoming theme, which will be unveiled at Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. This year will be the first time the theme will be revealed at Thon. The logo or slogan will probably be similar to themes in years past, like this year's "Pride in Our Legacy," Amber Gladys, Homecoming public relations overall, said.

"It's usually the same type of theme ... pride, traditions, honoring our alumni, just how we're a part of Penn State for our entire lives," Gladys said.

Students who would like to be involved can apply to be a committee captain or a committee member.

Applications for captains will be available Feb. 19 and are due in March. Committee member applications will be available in the fall.

"We've been recognized by different administrators and different people that our Homecoming celebration is unlike other university's," Rosenberg said.

Committee members say Penn State's homecoming is one of the largest and most successful homecomings in the country thanks to the events planned and students involved.

"That's how we measure our success -- getting people to come out and enjoy themselves," Gladys said, citing the number of returning alumni, family, community members and students involved in the celebration.