Homecoming 2018 kicks off Oct. 15 and culminates in the annual Homecoming Parade and football game on Oct. 20. Photo courtesy of Ohio University Communications and Marketing/Daniel Owen
Fall is just around the corner, and the countdown is on to Ohio University’s biggest Bobcat bash of the year: Homecoming 2018.
Bobcats past, present and future are invited to kick back with friends, family and fellow alumni for a celebration that kicks off Oct. 15 and culminates in the annual Homecoming Parade and football game on Oct. 20.
“Homecoming provides a great opportunity for connecting students, alumni and the Athens community,” said Erica Lipscomb, associate director of external relations for the OHIO Alumni Association. “Bobcats, families and friends are invited to join us at our events throughout the week and share their Bobcat pride.”
Event organizers are busy planning a week of festivities celebrating this year’s Homecoming theme, “Athens State of Mind” —emphasizing a strong OHIO belief that Athens is forever a Bobcat’s place to call home.
The week will include some Bobcat favorites, including University Archives’ annual Homecoming display, campus tours and historical hayrides, and the OHIO Alumni Association’s Alumni Awards Gala. The Athens campus and community will be beaming with Bobcat pride, thanks to the annual Paint the Town Green contest that challenges University offices and local businesses to a showdown of OHIO spirit.
The festivities ramp up the evening of Thursday, Oct. 18, with one of the best-attended Homecoming Week events: the annual Yell Like Hell Pep Rally. A chance to rally your Bobcat spirit ahead of the big Homecoming game, the Yell Like Hell Pep Rally is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. on the historic College Green and will feature the Marching 110, additional acts and OHIO giveaways.
The Bobcat spirit kicks into high gear on Saturday, Oct. 20, with OHIO’s annual Homecoming Parade , starting at 10 a.m. Following the parade, prepare for the big game with music, food, beverages, games and giveaways at the annual Bobcat Bash, which begins at 11 a.m. at Pepsi Tailgreat Park.
The festivities wrap up that afternoon as OHIO takes on Bowling Green State University in a Homecoming matchup that kicks off at 2 p.m. at Peden Stadium. Tickets are available online or by calling (800) 575-2287.
See the growing schedule of Homecoming events or submit an event of your own for the official schedule at the 2018 Homecoming website.
Enter this year’s Homecoming Instagram Contest
Homecoming 2018 may be a month away, but it’s never too early to start gearing up for this annual tradition of Bobcat Pride! Bobcats and Bobcat fans are invited to participate in this year’s Homecoming Instagram Contest that challenges participants to return to their “Athens State of Mind” by recreating a photo of an OHIO memory.
Contest rules, as well as a few #OHIOThenAndNow photos to inspire you, are available at www.ohio.edu/homecoming/instagram-contest , but the idea is simple. Select an OHIO photo—one of your own or take a walk down memory lane with University Archives . Then recreate that photo today. Post both photos on Instagram, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #OHIOHC2018 and #OHIOThenAndNow. A winner will be announced each day of Homecoming Week, and prizes will be awarded.