We have finally reached homecoming week here at Southern Nazarene University, a time students and faculty alike have been anticipating for the entirety of this fall semester. A lot of time and effort has gone into making this incredibly special week the best that it can be for our campus community. With so many different events taking place all across the campus, it’s important for SNU students to know when and where they ought to be in order to participate in the festivities!
Quite literally kicking off the events for this year’s homecoming is the men’s home soccer game on Thursday night. The match will take place at 6pm on Wes Harmon Field, and serves as the semifinals for the Great American Conference championship. The Crimson Storm will be facing off against the Northeastern State University RiverHawks, and could use the loud support of our SNU community!
Following the game on Thursday night will be Howdy Homecoming. You can find this event on College Street, near the library, at 8pm. Howdy Homecoming is an outdoor festival including a variety of different activities, including games, a bonfire, and more. In case students need a bite to eat after an evening of cheering on our men’s soccer team, Chick-fil-A will be available at the event. And, true to the name, Howdy Homecoming will offer students an opportunity to get their hoedown on with line dancing.
The events continue into Friday with a special Homecoming Coronation Chapel taking place in Herrick Auditorium at 11am. There, students will be able to watch and support as members of the homecoming court are crowned. While this event will allow for students to celebrate their peers, it also will be offering Christian Formation credit.
Friday evening, students should be sure to catch the men’s basketball game at 7pm in the Sawyer Center. This will be the first match of SNU’s basketball season, following the men’s Halloween Hoops event in which they faced off against alumni. This scrimmage will take place against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. At halftime, SNU will bust out their griddles in order to serve flapjacks for students in what’s titled Lumberjack Pancake Night. Students are encouraged to don their flannel and dress up in their best lumberjack costumes.
The festivities will continue into Saturday, in which the Fun Run will be held at 8am on SNU’s football field. Students will get the opportunity to run alongside alumni in a low-stakes untimed 5k race. Registration for the Fun Run can be found on the Fun Run website.
Finally, from 3:30 to 7pm, SNU will be hosting its homecoming finale Block Party on College Street. There, students will be treated to a variety of games and music. In addition, students can find food trucks from Chef Ray’s Street Eats, Oak City Pizza, and Wicked Hangry.
Of course, homecoming is not just about current students. Homecoming allows for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater and enjoy a number of festivities including but not limited to class reunions, luncheons, and receptions.
Todd Brant, the Executive Director of Alumni Relations, had many exciting things to say about Homecoming 2022. While homecoming is a celebration of student life all across campus, SNU has elected to highlight the accomplishments of one specific department!
“This year’s theme is Running the Race Since 1899. We will be focusing on the area of Kinesiology. On Saturday morning at the Welcome Home Celebration, we will be honoring five outstanding alumni in the area of Kinesiology. As part of the theme, we will be hosting Open Houses in the Kinesiology Department as well as having an SNU Fun Run, which we hope can become a tradition!” said Brant.
With so much going on at Homecoming 2022, SNU has provided a way for students to enjoy these events for a very low cost! The Homecoming Package, which costs only $15 if students present their crimson cards, includes vouchers for food trucks, access to every event, and a free t-shirt.
“This year’s Homecoming will be unique to those who attend,” said Brant. “We hope that students and alums both will enjoy attending the SNU men’s basketball game on Friday evening and the Storm Block Party on Saturday.”
All of us here at the ECHO hope you have a fantastic homecoming weekend, and hope to see you participating in the festivities!
