Vandal students, alumni and the Moscow community will be coming together Sept. 25 – Oct. 2 for University of Idaho Homecoming week. This weeklong celebration includes competitions, community involvement, traditional campus wide events, a parade and of course the big football game.
The 2022 Homecoming Committee has been hard at work since last spring planning this year’s homecoming festivities. Vice President of the Homecoming Committee, Grace Chadwick, has been working on major events like fundraisers and community involvement since last October after the finale of the 2021 Homecoming week. Due to the past several homecomings have been limited due to COVID, the committee is looking forward to full attendance and all in person events this year.
One change that’s making this year’s homecoming unique is that the Homecoming Committee has partnered with SARB, Student Alumni Relations Board, to put on the homecoming events. Chadwick explained that this shift will not affect any of the events, but it will bring a little extra help to the committee so that they can make this year’s homecoming one for the books.
“The main difference is we just have a few more hands and a little bit more backing in case we need volunteers or more people… the main thing is just having more help,” Chadwick said.
There is something for everyone at homecoming, from participating in competitions to watching events. Anyone who wants to be a part of homecoming this year will have a chance.
“I think there’s always been a stigma around homecoming being a greek event and it’s not. It’s really big for the whole campus and we’d love to see more people involved,” said Chadwick.
Homecoming has been a central part of UI culture for decades, in fact, it is thought to be the longest running college homecoming in the United States. Students, alumni and community members who participate in homecoming activities are becoming part of history.
“I hope that people will come out and experience it because homecoming is one of the oldest traditions on campus,” Chadwick said.
Homecoming events start on Sunday, Sept. 25 with Women’s soccer facing off against Idaho State at 1 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome. The game will be followed by the first ever Water Pong team challenge and at 3 p.m. the official opening event kickout will be taking place in the Kibbie Dome.
Monday from 2-5 p.m., window painting will be happening in downtown Moscow, and the deadline for campus office decorating is Tuesday at 5 p.m. The blood drive in the TLC will be taking place all week from Tuesday to Friday.
On Wednesday the Jingles competition will be starting at 7 p.m. on the Tower Lawn. Thursday at 8 p.m. is the deadline to cast votes for homecoming royalty.
Friday is where the event really gets going, with Volleyball against Eastern Washington University at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Gym. The game will be followed by the Serpentine, starting at 8 p.m. at the UI Golf Course and winding its way through campus until 8:30 p.m. when the bonfire begins in the Kibbie Dome parking lot. At the end of the bonfire, the ICCU firework show will begin at 9:15 p.m., bringing a close to the night before the big game day.
Saturday, the festivities will begin with the official homecoming parade beginning at 12:30 p.m. in downtown Moscow. Following this community wide celebration, the tailgate will begin at 3 p.m. in the ICCU Arena plaza. The homecoming game against Northern Colorado will begin at 6 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome, and with the last play of the game, the exciting week of homecoming will come to a close.
Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected]