Homecoming weekend is approaching and the school is getting ready for Saturday by having a full week of festivities.

The fun started on Sunday when students from different organizations got creative and painted a window in the student center. A variety of artwork can be seen on the windows from Greek Life and other student activity boards.

The Banana Splittin’ competition was set for homecoming week but was rescheduled due to the low participation. The competition is now Oct. 10 at the Academic Corridor. This contest allows students to compete against other teams and organizations on campus and gave them the opportunity to have fun and take a break from classes.

Students compete in groups and wear costumes to jazz up the tournament. Awards are also given out for the costumes including “best dressed,” “fastest eater” and “most creative eating style.”

Powder Puff football kicked off Sept. 20 and allowed students, faculty and alumni to support the women of Ashland University.

Saturday calls for a full day of festivities including the annual 5K run and the crowning of the homecoming king and queen. The 5K run will start Sept. 22 at 8:30 a.m. with runners checking in. The runners will start their marks at 10 a.m. while walkers get a head start at 9 a.m.

Registration is required for the run and the first 100 participants will receive a giveaway. For the entrance fee, people can bring canned goods that will be donated to the Ashland County Food Bank.

Also at 10 a.m., the game day send-off will take place as the cheerleaders and band wish the football team the best of luck for the homecoming game. The football team will walk out from the Jack and Deb Miller chapel to the football stadium.

As an Ashland tradition, members of the team will carry an original part of the old Founders building during the send off to honor Ashland University, according to student affairs.

At 10:30 a.m., you can find president Campo and his wife, Karen, at the Eagles Nest for coffee and breakfast.

Campo will discuss updates with the campus and along with the chance to enter in a raffle drawing. Study abroad options will also be open for discussion with faculty for any students interested in the study abroad program.

If you love pizza, then you’ll definitely be down for the “Pizza, Pizza, Pizza” Fan Fest.

“Pizza, Pizza, Pizza” will feature a different variety of pies from pizzerias in Ashland. The fest will be held outside of Amstutz hall and is open to the public.

Another homecoming tradition is finding out who the Ashland University homecoming king and queen are.
Homecoming king and queen will be crowned during the Ashland University football game against the Northwood Timberwolves. Kick-off starts at 1 p.m. and the crowning ceremony takes place at halftime.

In the running for the queen is Elizabeth (Liz) Bucci, Sidney Landis, Naomi Sims, Shelby Teets and Aashawnti West. For king, David Grim, Brian Le, Jared Pack, Tyler Sievert and Kyle Wissel.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online at goashlandeagles.com or in the business office inside Founders Hall.

At 3:30 p.m., the Purple Eagle Silent Auction will begin in the Upper Convocation Center. The auction will provide music, food and other entertainment, along with a photo booth.

Two raffle prizes will be available and 250 items will be auctioned off. All proceeds are donated to the Legacy Scholarship Program, the Ashland Fund and the Alumni Association programming.

The campus bookstore will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the stadium store will also sell items from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well.

For more information on all events for the weekend or for overnight accommodations, visit ashland.edu/student-affairs.