Taylor’s Homecoming Weekend and two alumni anniversary celebrations will be this weekend, Friday, Oct. 8 to Sunday, Oct. 10.
The date of Homecoming Weekend was settled five years ago, but most planning began six months ago when staff and student leaders met to decide which events to continue and new events to plan.
The Alumni and Parent Relations office handles the main event planning, but many other groups are involved in making the weekend run smoothly, from making food, to setting up events and other behind the scenes work.
Approximately 100 events are scheduled throughout the weekend, according to Brad Yordy, executive director of Alumni and Parent Relations.
“We're trying to put more student run events into the weekend, because it's what we do and we want our alumni and our parents to see students in action,” said Yordy.
President Michael Lindsay’s inauguration will take place in the Kesler Student Activities Center Friday at 10 a.m. in place of chapel. After this, more events will follow, including an outdoor print project, inauguration reception, reunion dinners and more.
Alumni award recipients are typically announced during Friday chapel, but due to the inauguration, there will be a Q&A session led by Lindsay Friday night. They will be acknowledged at the State of the University address Saturday morning.
Because of COVID-19, Taylor did not have a Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2020. This fall, Taylor is doing their best to revive the tradition, including the normal reunion classes and last year’s missed reunions.
There will be several traditional sporting events amid the weekend happenings. Taylor’s volleyball, men’s soccer and football teams will play at home 7 p.m Friday, Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. The intramural flag football championships will play at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Additionally, a time-honored tradition, Taylathon, will be joining the homecoming lineup at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Taylor parents and alumni will get a chance to cheer on their teams, and get a refresher of what Taylor culture is like at these campus events.
To wrap up the weekend, there will be a worship service Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Rediger, which all students, alumni and parents are welcome to attend.
Lastly, Taylor Student Organization (TSO) is hosting the flag football championship during Homecoming Weekend.
Senior Jack Newcomer is the President of Intermurals on TSO’s cabinet, and will be in charge of planning the event.
The actual tournament starts Oct. 4 with 12 men’s teams and six women’s teams. It will reach the semifinals Wednesday, with the finals Friday. The finals start at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Turner Stadium.
“We're hoping with (the game) being pushed out through different bulletins that have gone out to parents and magazines, that we’ll have a lot of parents show up, hopefully, come watch their kids play in the championship game,” said Newcomer. “We don't have anything specifically planned for the parents, but that might change as we get closer to the day.”
For all events, Taylor plans to follow the most recent PeRT regulations.
For a full schedule of Homecoming activities, see page 2 or visit taylor.edu under the “Homecoming and Family Weekend” tab.
