Town, gown gearing up for Homecoming Week 2018
OHIO’s Marching 110 will take center stage at several Homecoming Week 2018 events, including the Oct. 18 Yell Like Hell Pep Rally and the Oct. 20 Homecoming Parade and football game.
It’s time for Bobcats to channel their “Athens State of Mind” as town and gown prepare to join together for the collective community’s biggest and most spirited Ohio University celebration of the year.
Homecoming Week 2018 begins Monday, Oct. 15, with this year’s theme, “Athens State of Mind,” serving as a reminder of Bobcats’ forever home away from home.
“This year’s Homecoming theme, ‘Athens State of Mind,’ is all about celebrating the Bobcatlegacy and experiencing a renewed sense of theAthens community,” said Erica Lipscomb, associate director of external relations for the OHIO Alumni Association.“Signature events like the parade and pep rally helpremind students and alumni of OHIO’s richtraditions and create an opportunity to make new memories.”
The festivities will kick off in the days leading up to the week as members of the OHIO and Athens communities start to deck the halls in Ohio University’s signature colors of green and white. The Student Alumni Board and the Campus Involvement Center are once again joining together to sponsor the annual Paint the Town Green decorating contest. Local businesses and University departments are encouraged to showcase their Bobcat pride with original decorations. Prizes will be awarded.
Wednesday, October 17
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Student Alumni Board will partner with members of OHIO’s Sorority and Fraternity Life for an event dedicated to giving back to the Athens community. Pack the Pantry will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Konneker Alumni Center. The event challenges sorority and fraternity teams to collect as many cans as possible to support the Athens County Food Pantry. Anyone is welcome to contribute canned goods and/or spare change to this event.
Wednesday, Oct. 17, also marks the beginning of University Archives’ annual Homecoming display on the fourth floor of Alden Library. The display will run daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 20, and will showcase University memorabilia dating back to the 19th century. Historic materials include student newspapers, maps and sports programs that piece together the rich history of OHIO.
Thursday, October 18
Bobcat pride takes center stage on Thursday, Oct. 18, as OHIO hosts its annual Yell Like Hell Pep Rally, scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. on the historic College Green. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join the Marching 110 in ramping up Bobcat spirit ahead of the weekend’s Homecoming football game.
Friday, October 19
OHIO will kick off Homecoming Weekend 2018 on Friday, Oct. 19, with several events designed to take alumni on a journey down memory lane, including:
- Members of the Student Alumni Board will be offering free campus tours starting at 2 p.m. at the Konneker Alumni Center. Registration is required.
- Historical hayrides will be occurring from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Ridges. Registration is required, and the $5 cost includes a Homecoming 2018 reusable mug and hot chocolate.
- The Department of Housing and Residence Life will be hosting free residence hall visits. Registrants will meet at 5:30 p.m. at OHIO’s Living Learning Center, a new building that opened in the fall of 2015, for a short reception and refreshments. Tours will begin at 6 p.m. Registration is required, and registrants are asked to indicate which residence hall they would like to visit.
Friday evening also will feature the OHIO Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Awards Gala, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the ballroom on the fourth floor of Baker University Center. Tickets are required for this event celebrating the University’s outstanding alumni and friends.To read about this year’s award recipients, click here.
Friday night will see the debut of a new Homecoming event, “Dear Bobcat.” Ohio Today radio launched “Dear Bobcat” this past summer. The podcast series invites OHIO alumni to write a letter to their first-year selves and then read that letter live on stage or in a studio. In honor of Homecoming, Casa Nueva is hosting a special live event of the “Dear Bobcat” podcast from 9 to 10 p.m. The event is free, and registration is not required. Bobcats interested in reading their “Dear Bobcat” letter at the event may email dearbobcat@ohio.edu.
Saturday, October 20
The most festive day of the entire Homecoming Week—Saturday, Oct. 20—includes a plethora of events hosted by individual colleges and departments.
The day launches bright and early with the Department of Campus Recreation kicking off its second annual Homecoming 5K and Fun Run at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, on the front lawn of the Ping Recreation Center. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
Bobcats looking for that pre-parade pick-me-up are invited to the Pre-Parade Coffee Hour beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Steven L. Schoonover Center for Communication. Hosted by the Scripps College of Communication and the OHIO Alumni Association, this free event will feature a light breakfast and OHIO giveaways.
The 2018 Homecoming Parade commences at 10 a.m. with spirited floats, banners and displays showcasing the “Athens State of Mind” theme. Join town and gown in lining the streets of uptown Athens to cheer on the Marching 110, the Alumni Band and members of the OHIO and Athens communities as they proudly display their Bobcat spirit.
The festivities continue at 11 a.m. with the Bobcat Bash in Pepsi Tailgreat Park. Get excited for the big Homecoming football game while enjoying some food, family-friendly fun and fellowship with your fellow Bobcats.
Homecoming Weekend concludes with the annual football game at 2 p.m. at Peden Stadium. Stand up and cheer as the Bobcats take on the Bowling Green Falcons. Tickets areavailable onlineor by calling (800) 575-2287.
Don’t miss out on any this year’s Homecoming festivities! Visit the official 2018 Homecoming website to register for events, to check for additions to the schedule or to submit an event of your own. And don’t forget to participate in this year’s Homecoming Instagram contest! Details are available here.
Homecoming shirts offer chance to connect with future Bobcat
Get in the Homecoming spirit and connect with a future member of the Bobcat family!
This year’s official Homecoming shirt is on sale through The Bobcat Store and for the first time offers purchasers an opportunity to send a message of encouragement to an admitted member of Ohio University’s Class of 2023.
The Student Alumni Board (SAB) sells OHIO’s official Homecoming shirts each year to help support events and programming that occur throughout the year. This year, SAB has partnered with Undergraduate Admissions and The Bobcat Store, the official store of the OHIO Alumni Association.
With the purchase of a Homecoming 2018 shirt, The Bobcat Store will ship an Ohio University water bottle to a high school senior who has been accepted for admission to the University. The purchaser will have the option of sending a personalized note to that student—an inspirational message from members of the OHIO community to the next generation of Bobcats.