UB to celebrate Homecoming

UB will celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend, two of the most traditional of college events, Sept. 29 through Oct. 6 with a variety of activities, topped off by the Homecoming football game against Mid-American Conference rival Ohio.

Homecoming activities kick off on Sunday (Sept. 29) with Spirit Week, the undergraduate Student Association’s annual weeklong series of spirit-generating events. Among the activities planned are the traditional painting of windows that line the entrance of the Student Union and smashing of a car representing the Ohio Bobcats, as well as a Fall Food Fest with cuisine provided by Western New York restaurants and food trucks, a chicken-wing-eating contest and gladiator jousting. Events take place all week, most from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in and around the Student Union.

Spirit Week concludes on Friday with the free Homecoming Carnival from 5-9 p.m. on Lee Road next to the University Bookstore. After the carnival shuts down at 9 p.m., UB fans can enjoy a bonfire, pep rally and fireworks on the shore of Lake LaSalle.

Other activities include seminars on Thursday taught by UB faculty and alumni, President Satish K. Tripathi’s annual State of the University Address (11 a.m. Friday in the Student Union Theatre) and an open house for the new Murchie Family Fieldhouse (noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the fieldhouse just north of UB Stadium). The marquee event for any Homecoming is, of course, the football game, and UB has gone to great lengths make the experience memorable.

Numerous campus groups will be hosting tailgaters in Stampede Square before the game on Saturday — Stampede Square opens at 12:30 p.m. — and fans can support the Bulls as they head to UB Stadium, accompanied by the Thunder of the East marching band, during the Walk to Victory at 1 p.m. The free Tailgate Concert beginning at 1:30 p.m. features ‘80s party band Nerds Gone Wild.

Tickets are still available for the game against Ohio. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. in UB Stadium. The game will be broadcast live across the nation on the CBS Sports Network.

For the full schedule of Homecoming and Family Weekend events, visit the event’s website.