Back by popular demand

Some alumni might remember; others have been waiting for its return. Their chance to barrel head first down 12th Street pushing a bed as fast as humanly possible. To scream at the top of their lungs, cheering on the home team. To reconnect with old friends and relive favorite Marquette memories. This was the year, 2016, where talk of tradition became a reality again.

Marquette introduced Homecoming 75 years ago as a week for alumni to return to their alma mater, and for students, faculty and staff to celebrate their Marquette pride. Homecoming traditions were celebrated with the football game (or the soccer game, following 1960), homecoming dance, bed races and spirited pep rallies.

This year, the university reignited the Homecoming tradition. Thousands of students, faculty, staff and alumni recently participated in a week-long Homecoming celebration with traditions old and new. A men’s soccer game replaced the football game in 1960 and has been the tradition every since. A concert headlined by American Authors and Rachel Platten replaced the Homecoming dance. Pep rallies transformed into the block party and Marquette Madness, and the beloved bed races tradition took a new-and-improved form.

From re-living the dining hall experience at hot cookie night to painting the streets blue and gold at the color run, there were plenty of Marquette memories to be made this year. Alumni and students connected at the Networking Event, and students experienced stardom at Marquette’s Got Talent. Other activities included glow bingo, Homecoming Mass, a food drive, and women’s volleyball and soccer games.

Thanks to the students who participated and the staff who planned the events and brought them to life, the reinstated Homecoming tradition brought back similar feelings of pride and new traditions to look forward to. This campus continues to grow and change through the years, but no matter what, Marquette will always be our home.