Urbana University will host its annual Return of the Knights homecoming celebration Saturday, Oct. 28. The event will feature activities for students, alumni, faculty and staff, as they celebrate the rich tradition and return of alumni.
This year’s festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. with tailgating, reunions, an alumni softball game, campus tours for prospective students, and extended public hours to showcase campus enhancements and building improvements. In addition to individual tailgates, there will be gatherings for many special interest groups, including basketball, softball, football, golf, international studies, Colleges of Arts, Sciences & Education, Honors and others.
New this year to the homecoming lineup are local food trucks representing some of the area’s culinary offerings. Guests can enjoy the Alumni & Friends Band, and DJ Casey Hennigan, who will provide the day’s musical entertainment.
Early guests to visit the alumni tent will receive a commemorative Return of the Knights Homecoming 2017 T-shirt featuring the winning design from the inaugural Return of the Knights Homecoming T-Shirt Design Challenge. The winning design will be announced on Friday, Oct. 27, and the student designer will be recognized at halftime, along with the 2017 Homecoming King and Queen winners.
The UU Spirit Tent will showcase university historical displays, tasty tailgate snacks for guests, gifts for alumni and activities for all. University supporters such as Excel Sports Medicine, Liberty Mutual, Barnes & Noble and the Ohio Army National Guard will have items or activities for guests.
Dr. Christopher Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Urbana University, will help lead the Blue Knight spirit.
“There’s something contagious about this campus, its students, faculty and alumni that hits you the very first time you visit,” Washington said. “It’s an overwhelming sense of pride and enthusiasm that makes Urbana University so special. Homecoming is a time for the Urbana family to not only reminisce about our rich heritage, but also celebrate the many great things that are yet to come.”
To rally excitement for the Blue Knight football team to take the field against Glenville State at 1 p.m., tailgaters will form a spectator tunnel at 11 a.m. near the Grimes Center to cheer the Spirit Walk Parade across campus.
All youth and high school football players, as well as cheerleaders wearing their team jersey, will gain free admittance to the Blue Knights football game.
For more information, contact 937-772-9215 or [email protected]. Tickets for NCAA II sporting events can be purchased at the gates. The complete schedule and contact information for the events listed above is available on the Homecoming page.
