Ashland University’s 101st homecoming football game will be Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. against Thomas More University.
However, the festivities are set to begin several days before the football game.
AU’s Campus Activities Board, (CAB,) has multiple events planned for the week.
A new addition, “Spirit Week” themes, will be added to the schedule this year:
Monday: Spirit Day
Wear your favorite AU gear to show school spirit.
Tuesday: Rep your Organization Day
Wear your organization’s merch- sports teams, clubs, student-run organizations.
Wednesday: Jersey Day
Wear your favorite sports jersey.
Thursday: Throwback Thursday
Represent a decade or nostalgic theme with a fun outfit.
Friday: Anything but a Bag Day
Students are to bring anything but a bookbag to class- the more creative, the better!
Saturday: Tie-Dye Day
Students are to wear their AU Homecoming tie-dye shirts they made at the kickoff on Monday.
“All week long, we’re going to be having a “prize patrol” made of students and staff to give out prizes for those participating in the spirit week themes,” said CAB Co-leader, Hannah Mantle.
She continued, “It’s super important that everyday you’re dressing up for it, having fun, and you may even win a little prize.”
The fun is set to begin on Monday, Oct. 6 with CAB’s Homecoming Kickoff on the quad where students will have the opportunity to tie-dye T-shirts.
Next, on Tuesday, CAB will be partnering with Student Senate to host “Eagle Sips” on the quad from 9 a.m. to noon. “We’re going to have hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and other bakery treats,” said Mantle.
Finally, on Friday, CAB will be hosting their biggest event, “Pizza Pizza Pizza” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Rec Center lawn.
“Everybody across campus, especially in CAB, get so hyped, it’s one of our biggest events; the energy is just so high,” said Mantle.
Members of CAB start to prepare for the event early in the morning, as they always expect a large crowd. “We get there a few hours before the event starts, and just being in the midst of the chaos is my favorite part of all CAB events, but specifically during homecoming week,” said Mantle.
As a co-leader, Mantle also takes on the role of dressing up as a giant pizza slice for the event, drawing in even more participants.
Last year’s homecoming was a major milestone for AU, as it was the 100th anniversary of the event; it was a huge success.
“We’re expecting over 1,000 people to attend the event between students, alumni and families; it’ll be a huge event and we’re super excited to hold it,” said Mantle.
The week will come to a close on Saturday, when the AU Football Team will take on Thomas More University at 1 p.m.
There, at halftime, two seniors will be selected as homecoming king and queen.
For more information on homecoming events, students can visit CAB’s Instagram where they will post daily updates and photos.
