Homecoming 2018
WKU TO CELEBRATE HOMECOMING ‘TO THE HILL AND BEYOND’ OCT. 25-28
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University will celebrate Homecoming 2018 “To the Hill and Beyond” Oct. 25-28.
The Toy Story-themed celebration will include pep rallies, reunions, concerts, award presentations, hall of fame inductions, a parade, the crowning of the Homecoming queen and the football game between the Hilltoppers and Florida International.
“‘To the Hill and Beyond’ represents the reason we celebrate Homecoming,” said Ginny Hensley, WKU’s Director of Alumni Engagement. “Homecoming is about students creating memories of life on the Hill today. It’s also a time for alumni to reflect on similar memories from their days at WKU.”
Homecoming Day on Oct. 27 will feature numerous reunions of organizations, Greek groups, athletic teams, academic programs and more. In addition, both the WKU Football program and the ROTC program will celebrate their 100-year anniversaries. With the football game kicking off at 6:30 p.m., the Festival of Friends Homecoming Tailgating will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Homecoming events begin Oct. 25 with the Homecoming Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally—presented by Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky, Hilliard Lyons JPS Wealth Advisors and the WKU Alumni Association—from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6.4.3 Sports Bar, 360 E. Eighth Ave., in downtown Bowling Green. Tickets are $6. Purchase tickets in advance at alumni.wku.edu/chilicheese18 or at the door.
Homecoming Friday Night on Oct. 26 will be highlighted by the parade, Concert in the Park and Big Red’s Roar.
“The annual Homecoming Parade will reflect our fun Homecoming theme,” Hensley said. “Our student body grew up watching Disney’s Toy Story movies, and I expect Big Red will impersonate Buzz Lightyear many times throughout Homecoming Week.”
Sponsored by Midtown, the parade will begin at 5 p.m. near Downing Student Union and will make its way up College Heights Boulevard then down State Street to Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green.
“Following the parade, the student body will fill Circus Square Park as the Concert in the Park wraps up and the annual Big Red’s Roar pep rally begins,” Hensley said. “Coach Mike Sanford and members of the WKU Football team will rally the student body in preparation for Saturday’s Homecoming game against FIU.”
The Homecoming Concert in the Park, presented by Midtown, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature Jordan English. Big Red’s Roar, the annual Homecoming student pep rally, will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame also will induct new members. Members of the 27th class of HODA – Becky Ann Gelke Baker, Nettie Bayless Courts Depp and Dr. Richard C. Rink – will be inducted during a luncheon at 11 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Sloan Convention Center. Members of the 28th class of the Athletic Hall of Fame – Crystal Kelly, Matt Wilhite and Rick Yeloushan – will be inducted during a brunch at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at E.A. Diddle Arena.
“Homecoming is a rich, highly anticipated tradition on the WKU campus,” Hensley noted. “It brings together all members of the WKU Family to celebrate the one thing we all have in common: the WKU Spirit.”
The complete 2018 Homecoming schedule of events can be found at alumni.wku.edu/homecoming; here are some highlights:
Thursday, Oct. 25
Homecoming Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally, sponsored by Hilliard Lyons JPS Wealth Advisors and presented by Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky and the WKU Alumni Association, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at 6.4.3 Sports Bar, 360 E. Eighth Ave., Bowling Green.
Summit Awards Dinner, presented by the WKU Alumni Association, the College Heights Foundation, and the WKU Foundation; 6 p.m. at Augenstein Alumni Center.
Friday, Oct. 26
Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony, presented by Franklin Bank & Trust Company, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center. Inductees are Becky Ann Gelke Baker, Nettie Bayless Courts Depp and Dr. Richard C. Rink.
Homecoming Parade, presented by Midtown, 5 p.m. WKU campus to Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green.
Homecoming Concert in the Park, presented by Midtown, featuring Jordan English, 5:30 p.m. at Circus Square Park, downtown Bowling Green.
Big Red’s Roar, student pep rally, 6:30 p.m. at Circus Square Park, downtown Bowling Green.
The After Party, young alumni gathering parade watch at 5 p.m. and After Party at 7 p.m. at Steamer Southern Seafood Kitchen, 801 State Street, downtown Bowling Green.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Homecoming Day. Numerous reunions of student organizations, Greek groups, athletic teams, academic programs; open houses; tailgating activities; and more at various locations. Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Brunch, 10 a.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena. Inductees are Crystal Kelly, Matt Wilhite and Rick Yeloushan.
WKU Alumni Association Tailgate & Celebrate, presented by U.S. Bank, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on WKU South Lawn.
Festival of Friends Homecoming Tailgating, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at various locations.
Hilltopper Football vs. Florida International, 6:30 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Newly named Mary Ellen and Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing, celebrating the writing of Mary Ellen Miller, WKU’s first Poet Laureate, 2 p.m. at the Kentucky Museum.