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Homecoming

October 23-28, 2023

Celebrate the University of Kansas’ 111th Homecoming Oct. 23-28, culminating in the KU football game against Oklahoma on Oct. 28 in David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Rah Rah Jayhawk,” a nod to the origins of the Rock Chalk chant and Jayhawk nostalgia.

Rah Rah Jayhawk Homecoming 2023

Homecoming Information Packet

Calling all KU students: Any questions about Homecoming? Wondering how you or your student organization can get involved?
 
Check out the Homecoming Info Packet, complete with a full competition schedule, event descriptions, awards information and more.
 
 You also can view our pre-recorded information session here.
 

Homecoming Information Packet

Calling all KU students: Do you bleed Crimson and Blue? If so, the Homecoming Steering Committee wants YOU!
 
Join the KU Alumni Association to plan a robust week of fun-filled festivities for 2023 Homecoming! The Homecoming Steering Committee serves as the primary driver of the Homecoming experience, and its responsibilities are to plan an experience that enhances Jayhawk pride in the KU community near and far.
 
This is a student leadership opportunity available to students who are searching to strengthen event planning skills, build and enrich KU traditions and are eager to get involved with the KU Alumni Association.

Call for Programs

The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee welcome you to submit a program or an event for our Homecoming calendar of events on behalf of your organization or department.
 
Submissions will be accepted until August 16, and not all submissions are guaranteed approval. Approved events will be announced by August 22.
 

Info Packet

Calling all KU students: Any questions about Homecoming? Wondering how you or your student organization can get involved?
 
Check out the Homecoming Info Packet, complete with a full competition schedule, event descriptions, awards information and more. You also can view our pre-recorded information session here.
 

Homecoming Awards

Three Homecoming awards recognize outstanding students and alumni each year. The Ex.C.E.L. Award recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. The Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes a student who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Finally, the Spirit of 1912 Award honors KU graduates for their lifelong commitment to the University.

Info Packet

Calling all KU students: Any questions about Homecoming? Wondering how you or your student organization can get involved?
 
Check out the Homecoming Info Packet, complete with a full competition schedule, event descriptions, awards information and more. You also can view our pre-recorded information session here.
 

Homecoming Awards

Three Homecoming awards recognize outstanding students and alumni each year. The Ex.C.E.L. Award recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. The Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes a student who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Finally, the Spirit of 1912 Award honors KU graduates for their lifelong commitment to the University.

Call for Programs

The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee encourage campus and community partners to submit an event for the Homecoming calendar on behalf of your department or organization.

Submissions will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, with approved events shared on the Homecoming calendar.

Agreement form

Are you or your student organization participating in the Homecoming Competition? Fill out the agreement form to get registered by Friday Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.

 

Homecoming Info Session

The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee will hold a virtual Homecoming Information Session Sept. 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. Any KU campus or Lawrence community partners interested in hosting an event are invited to attend.

Register here for the information session, which will be recorded and available later to those who register.

 

Homecoming Sponsors

2023 Schedule Overview

Date
Activity
Location
Time
Audience
Sept. 10
Ex. C.E.L. Award applications open
online sign up
8 a.m.
Students
Sept. 10
Alderdice Award applications open
online sign up
8 a.m.
Students
Sept. 10
Spirit of 1912 Award applications open
online sign up
8 a.m.
Alumni, Public
Sept. 27
Student Homecoming information session
Online
6-7 p.m.
Students
Oct. 6
Ex.C.E.L. Award applications close
5 p.m.
Students
Oct. 6
Alderdice Award applications close
5 p.m.
Students
Oct. 6
Spirit of 1912 Award applications close
5 p.m.
Alumni, Public
Oct. 13
Alumni Band Registration Deadline
Online
11:59 p.m.
Alumni
Oct. 17
Ex.C.E.L. Finalists notified
Students
Oct. 17
Alderdice Finalists notified
Students
Oct. 23
Homecoming Sign Competition Begins
Jayhawk Welcome Center
Students
Oct. 23
Homecoming Kick-Off
Jayhawk Welcome Center, Front Lawn & Patio
5:30-7:30 PM
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 24
Spirit Bus!
Campus Bus
12-2 p.m.
Students
Oct. 24
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 24
A Question of Respect: Bringing Us Together in a Deeply Divided Nation
Dole Institute of Politics
7 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 24
Homecoming Awards Banquet
Jayhawk Welcome Center, The Pub & Bruckmiller
6-7:30 p.m.
Students
Oct. 24
Glowtopia
Royal Crest Lanes
10 pm.-12 a.m.
Students
Oct. 25
Jayhawk Buddy System Giveaway
Watkins Memorial Health Center, East Sidewalk
11 a.m.
Students
Oct. 25
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 25
Canceled: Hawktober Movie Night
Oct. 26
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 26
Gray-Little Hall dedication ceremony
Gray-Little Hall
4:30 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 26
Alumni Trivia Night
Wayne & Larry’s Sports Bar & Grill
6-8 p.m.
Alumni, Public
Oct. 26
Jayhawk Jingles
Kansas Memorial Union, Woodruff Auditorum
6-8 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 26
KU Black Alumni Network Reunion: Mike and Joyce Shinn African American Leaders and Innovators Award Reception
Jayhawk Welcome Center
6:30-10 p.m.
Alumni
Oct. 26
Karaoke Night
Daisy Hill Commons Quad, Lawn
7-9 p.m.
Students
Oct. 27
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 27
Chalk N’ Rock
Jayhawk Welcome Center, Front Lawn
1-3 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 27
Home Football Friday: Homecoming Edition
Jayhawk Welcome Center, Front Lawn
1-3 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 27
KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Mocktails and Mingle
Jayhawk Welcome Center
3-6 p.m.
Students, Alumni
Oct. 27
KU Alumni Band 50th Anniversary Reunion
TBD
4-6 p.m.
Alumni
Oct. 27
Rock Chalk Block Party
Massachusetts St.
5:30-9 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 27
KU Law Reunion Dinner | Celebrating classes ’78, ’83, ’93, ’98, ’03, and ’13
The Oread
6-9 p.m.
Alumni
Oct. 27
BSU Homecoming Pageant
Woodruff Auditorium
6:30 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 28
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 28
KU Alumni Band 50th Anniversary Reunion
TBD
TBD
Alumni
Oct. 28
KU Law Homecoming Tailgate
The Hill
TBD
Alumni
Oct. 28
KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Business Meeting
Jayhawk Welcome Center
TBD
Alumni
Oct. 28
KU Alumni Association Gameday at the Jayhawk Welcome Center Tailgate
Jayhawk Welcome Center
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 28
Homecoming Leaders Reunion
Jayhawk Welcome Center, Student Leadership Suite
8:30-11 a.m.
Alumni
Oct. 28
KU vs Oklahoma Football Game
Purchase tickets here
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
11 a.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 28
KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Kickback Party
Jayhawk Welcome Center
8-11 p.m.
Alumni
Oct. 29
Rock Chalk 5K: Supporting First Generations Students
KU Edwards BEST Building
8:45-10:30 a.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 29
The Senator Bob Dole Tribute Earthwork
Dole Institute of Politics
12-4 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public
Oct. 29
Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour
Lied Center of Kansas
7:30 p.m.
Students, Alumni, Public

Homecoming Sponsors

Homecoming Origin

On November 23, 1912, KU played its first Homecoming football game against well-established rivals the Missouri Tigers. At a bonfire in front of Fraser Hall the Friday before the game, the ceremonial burning of a wooden tiger riled KU students. The next day, in front of 9,000 cheering fans, the Jayhawks defeated Missouri 12-3. For years, it was custom to play Missouri for every other Homecoming game.

A Rich History

A Rich History

In 1925, the first Homecoming Queen was crowned at KU, but the ceremony did not become tradition until 1933. A new queen was crowned each year until 1969, when anti-war demonstrations and stormy race relations led to the committee’s decision that it was “more appropriate to recognize those who embody the academic spirit for which this community was established.” The Ex.C.E.L. Award now recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. Two more awards have since been created: the Spirit of 1912 Award honors KU graduates for lifelong commitment to the University; and the Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes current students who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Learn more about and apply for Homecoming awards.

Homecoming Steering Committee

The Homecoming Steering Committee serves as a primary driver of the Homecoming experience by planning a robust experience that enhances Jayhawk pride. Students are selected after an application and interview process organized by the KU Alumni Association.

The 2023 Homecoming Steering Committee is:

-Thanh Tan Nguyen, a senior in business analytics and, supply chain management from Phu Yen, Vietnam, executive director.

-Nana Ansere Amfo Sackey, a junior in visual communication and design from Accra, Ghana, and Lawrence, programs chair.

-Jess Mumm, a junior in strategic communications and business from Omaha, Nebraska, programs co-chair.

-Andy Denekas, a graduate student in business and pre-law from Omaha, Nebraska, awards chair.

-Shayslyne Campos, a senior in marketing and psychology from Kansas City, Missouri, and Lawrence, public relations/outreach chair.

-Anna Korn, a junior in sport management from Phoenix, competitions chair.

-Aria Woolsey, a junior in strategic communications and psychology from River Falls, Wisconsin, public relations/outreach co-chair.

Marching Jayhawks

Marching Jayhawks

Mark your calendar for a live-streamed performance by the Marching Jayhawks at 5:40 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, ending with a Team KC flyover at 6 p.m.

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KYou Networking Week

KYou Networking Week

One Jayhawk connection can change your world! Find virtual events to connect with fellow ’Hawks in a variety of industries.

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Homecoming Shirts

Homecoming Shirts

Commemorate Homecoming and add to your collection with this year’s T-shirt, available in-store or online from the KU Bookstore.

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Virtual Bingo

Virtual Bingo

Our free virtual Homecoming Bingo event brings Jayhawks together for a week-long game full of prizes, fun and nostalgia.

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Hadl, Sayers honored

Bridges

Bridges is KU’s new marketplace for connecting students and recent grads to real-world, experiential projects that benefit businesses.

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Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt

Test your knowledge of Mount Oread’s art, icons and statues in our virtual Homecoming scavenger hunt—you can play whether you’re near or far.

more

Awards

Awards

Three Homecoming awards recognize outstanding students and alumni each year: the Ex.C.E.L. Award, the Spirit of 1912 Award, and the Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award.

more

Fun Facts

Fun Facts

Do you know when KU’s first Homecoming Parade was held? Have you heard of Dandelion Day? Learn more fun facts from past Homecoming celebrations.

more

Past Themes

Past Themes

KU introduced Homecoming themes in 1956. The first theme was “Songs for Victory.” The theme provides a basis for the week’s celebrations and helps guide events.

more

Football Games

Football Games

Find a complete record of past KU Homecoming football games including KU’s opponent, game scores, head coaches, attendance numbers and other fun facts.

more

Contact us for more information

Paige Freeman

Director of Student Programs

Email
paigefreeman@kualumni.org

Call
785.864.0953

Ryan Edmonds

Assistant Director of Student Programs

Email
ryan.edmonds@kualumni.org

Call
785.864.0097

Contact Us

Have questions? Let us know.

Call

800.584.2957

Address

1266 Oread Ave.
Lawrence Kansas 66045

Call

800.584.2957

Address

1266 Oread Ave.
Lawrence Kansas 66045

Send us a message

Welcome to the University of Kansas Alumni Association

Your membership in the KU Alumni Association is the single most powerful way to make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Through your membership, the Association: