UB celebrates Homecoming

UB is celebrating Homecoming and Family Weekend, two of the most traditional of college events, this week with a variety of activities, topped off by the Homecoming football game against Mid-American Conference rival Miami (OH) on Saturday.

Homecoming activities kicked off on Monday 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 the smashing of a car representing the Miami RedHawks, as well as a zip line, rock-climbing wall and chicken-wing-eating contest. Events take place all week, most from noon to 4 p.m., in and around the Student Union.

A highlight of Spirit Week this year is the UB Spirit Walk and Chalk from 6-7:30 p.m. tomorrow. Members of the UB community can paint UB’s spirit mark around the North Campus using templates and chalk spray paint. Participants should meet by the Bronze Buffalo in Coventry Loop outside the Center for the Arts. Those who register will be contacted if the event is cancelled or rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The pre-game day activities conclude on Friday with the free Carnival & Spirit Rally from 5-10 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 an alumni webinar today on UB’s ambition to become one of the Top 25 public research universities in the country led by Provost A. Scott Weber; the annual DoctHERS Symposium tomorrow, with a keynote address on “Developing Women Leaders in Health Care by Allison Brashear, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and UB SOUL (Shades of Unity & Love) Homecoming events bringing together BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) students and alumni for dinners, dances and tailgating.

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 the multi-genre cover band Double Shot.

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

UB fans can get the latest True Blue gear at UB retailers, including the UB Bookstore, Campus Tees, Gift and Greek, and the Bulls Team Shop.

In addition, faculty, staff and students can show their UB spirit by sharing their spirited photos from the week and play True Blue Trivia on Instagram on Friday. All trivia participants are entered in a special True Blue Giveaway — Homecoming edition.

And in a nod to UB, the Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls, as well as the Center for the Arts, are being lit in blue to celebrate Homecoming.

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