Homecoming is Getting a Makeover: Higher Expectations, Bigger Weekend
By Annie Renz
Returning students may recall seeing tailgates, petting zoos, and face paint at a previous year’s football game for what Stonehill has called it’s “Homecoming” since 2021. The one-day event was more alumni focused, encouraging young alumni families to come back to campus.
The Student Alumni Association was very involved in helping to organize this event, but most of the student body weren't involved in past Homecoming festivities.
That ends this year with Ali Hicks, director of community standards, and Jenn Silva, senior associate director of alumni engagement, at the helm of Stonehill’s Homecoming revamp.
“There’s been some conversations over the last couple years about building traditions here and wanting students to have fun and be engaged in our community,” said Hicks. “I was talking to my Vice President, Pauline Burke, and I said, ‘You know, homecoming could be a great opportunity to really bring the entire campus together, especially from the student perspective side, to build something fun and new.”
This year, Homecoming is expanding from one day to an entire weekend from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8.
It’s not to be confused with “Family Weekend” that typically comes first. “Homecoming Weekend” is its own event.
Jenn Silva said the amount of home games during Homecoming Weekend this year – nine – is unheard of. Along with football, students, alumni and families can also attend women’s ice hockey, volleyball, and men’s ice hockey, who all play back-to-back that Friday and Saturday; swim and dive compete on Saturday, and women’s soccer caps off Homecoming Weekend with their Senior Day on Sunday, November 8.
Besides athletic games, Hicks and Silva said they’re adding some big changes to Homecoming.
Silva said she thinks the biggest addition from a student perspective is the Bonfire Block Party.
“Our vision is sort of a pep rally. The cheer team is going to be there; there will be space for the football coach and maybe some captains to say things. Hopefully other athletes, especially the fall teams. They can come in uniform or their gear. The focus will not just be on football, but just spirit,” said Hicks.
There will be a DJ, hot chocolate, and sweet treats at the Bonfire Block Party, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night in the Duffy parking lot.
Opening night of Homecoming Weekend will top off with a performance by The Buzz Band, a classic rock band made up of five Stonehill alums. They’ll play at Brother Mikes in the Hill at 9 p.m.
If you’re ready to tee up, Homecoming Weekend will also include a golf outing at Easton Country Club.
“It’s going to be more of an outing than a tournament, although we will give some awards,” said Silva. “We really want it to be more camaraderie, fun, not people stressing about winning a prize.”
The Golf Outing will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, November 6. You can register to attend at Stonehill College’s Homecoming Weekend webpage.
Homecoming festivities roll right into the next morning with what Silva describes as a “big tailgate party involving students.” Starting at 9:30 a.m., students can set up their tailgates in a student-designated area.
The Homecoming Committee is teaming up with Stonehill’s Student Government Association. This year, clubs can have their own tailgate tables along the Chapel Lot. Hicks said the student organization with the best tailgate will receive a prize of 500 dollars.
“We’re encouraging offices and student groups to contact their alums to come back and have mini reunions,” said Hicks.
Silva and Hicks said they hope students will be creative with their clubs’ tables. They welcome having contests, selling products, grilling stations – anything that will show alums the school spirit on campus by promoting the clubs that are still active or introducing newer clubs to older alumni.
“The idea is to try and get the student organizations, clubs, and sports to start thinking, getting involved, contacting their alums, making this an opportunity to really start to build traditions,” said Silva.
Along with designated tailgating spots for students and alumni, there will be premium tailgate parking at the Chapel of Mary lot. Anyone can register for a premium spot, but there is a 25-dollar charge for the space.
“That’s because they’re going to be right near the DJ, right where the action is,” said Hicks.
That DJ is Mikey V from KISS 108. He’s a Stonehill alum who opened for Flo Rida at the Spring concert last year. He’ll be DJ-ing from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before Stonehill football takes on Central Connecticut at 1 p.m.
Homecoming Weekend will also give alumni a couple opportunities to get together on campus. On Saturday morning, there will be an Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony at Shields Science Center. On Sunday, there will be an Alumni Awards Reception at Donahue Hall.
Hicks and Silva hope students will take advantage of this opportunity to connect with alumni and grow the school’s sense of community.
“You never know where you’re going to make an impactful connection. You never know when a small conversation with an alum can translate into a job, an opportunity, somebody as a mentor. I think that’s really who Stonehill is, right? I think of Stonehill, I think of a family,” said Silva.
“I am most excited to look around and see Stonehill spirit. I will be giddy and emotional, and I will feel even more love for the place than I already have.” said Hicks.
Students can access the full list of Homecoming Weekend events on their webpage at stonehill.edu or on Guidebook. Three students will also be taking over the Stonehill College main Instagram page, but for now, check out the Instagram for promotional videos made by Molly Nyhan and Brianna DeMedeiros on behalf of the marketing department.
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