The Â鶹ӰԺ fight song blared down Main Street, the city of Â鶹ӰԺ was flooded with blue and gold, alumni and friends gathered and reminisced about their Â鶹ӰԺ State days, fans packed the stadium to cheer on their beloved Golden Flashes, and the entire campus boomed with Â鶹ӰԺ State pride.
Â鶹ӰԺ State celebrated 100 years of Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 6. Â鶹ӰԺ State alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and the community took part in one of the university’s long-standing traditions. Student events occurred the week leading up to Homecoming on all eight Â鶹ӰԺ State campuses throughout Northeast Ohio.
BOWMAN CUP
The morning of Homecoming kicked off with the 18th Annual Bowman Cup 5K Race at 8 a.m. The race, named after fedora-loving former Â鶹ӰԺ State President George Bowman, is a chip-timed race that starts and ends in front of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
HOMECOMING PARADE
The Homecoming Parade began at 10 a.m. on the corner of Midway Drive and Main Street, traveling west on Main Street into downtown Â鶹ӰԺ. The parade featured floats, Â鶹ӰԺ State and local high school marching bands, university colleges and departments, Â鶹ӰԺ State cheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and more. Parade favorites Â鶹ӰԺ State President Beverly J. Warren, the 2018 grand marshal and the Homecoming Courts anchored the parade. This year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal was Wayne Dawson, WJW Fox 8 anchor and Â鶹ӰԺ State alumnus.
WELCOME HOME PARTY
The Â鶹ӰԺ State Alumni Association hosted the Welcome Home Party at 11 a.m. at the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement located at 350 S. Lincoln St. in Â鶹ӰԺ. The Welcome Home Party was free and fun for all ages with festive food, activities and Â鶹ӰԺ State giveaways. Each college on the Â鶹ӰԺ Campus hosted a free open house or event at one of its buildings. Events included meet and greets with the college deans and refreshments.
KISS ON THE K
Couples who feel that Â鶹ӰԺ State played an important role in their relationship gathered on the K at Risman Plaza (in front of the Â鶹ӰԺ Student Center) for a special Homecoming tradition called Kiss on the K. All couples kissed on the K when the bell rang at 12:30 p.m. A special performance by the Â鶹ӰԺ Clarks acapella group and activities began at noon.
FOOTBALL GAME AND TAILGATE
Before the football game, alumni and students tailgated at Dix Stadium. Then at 3:30 p.m., the Â鶹ӰԺ State Golden Flashes took on Mid-American Conference East Division foe the Ohio University Bobcats. The rivalry game was Â鶹ӰԺ State’s first conference home game of the season. The Homecoming Courts – more than 40 representatives from all Â鶹ӰԺ State campuses – were recognized at the game, and Â鶹ӰԺ State’s 2018 Homecoming King and Queen were also announced and crowned.
Read about 100 Years of Homecoming
view the 2018 Homecoming event scheduleExplore the Homecoming Website