Overview
Its homecoming week here at the University of Alabama. Its so much going on, and so easy to get overstimulated and not know how to navigate. But look no further, help is on the way. Whether it’s your first homecoming, or you have had multiple homecomings here at the capstone—we’ll address every possible piece of information you’d need to know to stay informed in such a hectic week.
Basics
through November 14th. All the information surrounding purchasing tickets can be found on the homecoming website. That’s the hub for all things homecoming, let this article be a gateway. We’ll start by breaking down each day.
SUNDAY
On Sunday, there was Roll Tide Run, Spades & Lawn Games Tournament, and 2025 Homecoming Kick-off.
Three different events, with two being at the same time, and the run being at 4pm. The Crimson White described the Roll Tide Run as a “running start” to homecoming week (get it, running start), and said that over 600 students participated. Roll Tide was a 5k UNTIMED race that started on the quad and ended at the student center. It wasn’t timed but it was based on group participation.
The race consisted of uphill, downhill, and all types of inclines and smooth terrain throughout the race. It was a huge success.
The spades tournament, however, happened inside the Student Center. With different teams of two playing to win prizes. First place being 150, second place being 100, and participation 25.
As you can see, Sunday was booked with a fun event for everyone to do!
MONDAY
On Monday, there were two events that took place: Bowling Competition and Open Student Bowling. The Open Student Bowling was free from 6pm to 8pm and the Bowling Competition started at 6pm with each team having specific times for there competition.
TUESDAY
On Tuesday (THIS Tuesday) there’s a choreography competition opened to all students to watch. You do however need a ticket to get in but that can be found on the homecoming website above. Not only is it opened to students but alumni and members of the community as well.
It takes place in Coleman Coliseum with different student groups lighting up the stage in immaculate dance routines! Go check it out!
WEDNESDAY
TWO EVENTS are happening on Wednesday. Day of Service and the flag football competition.
Days of service is a big event where many different organizations on campus come together and go to many different service sites with many different things that they can do to serve the community at each site. It’s one big day of service, but the times and sites have yet to be announced.
The flag football competition consists of many students, with a multitude of gender inclusive teams of eight competing from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. There’s a first-place prize of 150, a second-place prize of 100, and a participation award of 25.
Check out the rules for the game and come out and watch or play!
THURSDAY
Thursday there is only one event, and it is the dodgeball competition. The dodgeball competition takes place in the Student Rec Basketball indoor courts South gym. It starts at 4:00 PM and teams consist of six players but cannot have more than three males on the team. First place gets 150, second place gets 100, participation 25.
Come on out and watch them play or even register a team!
FRIDAY
Or Homecoming Game-eve, has TWO events on this day. The Pep rally at 6:30 and the NPHC Sponsored Step show. The pep rally includes the homecoming queen announcement, a speech from President Mohler, speeches from coaches, players, and students, and a bonfire to end the night. There is no ticket required for the pep rally, but there is a ticket required for the NPHC sponsored step show.
The step show involves a multitude of sororities and fraternities participating in a competition centered around step and choreography. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show starts at 8:00 PM. The step show takes place in Coleman Coliseum while the pep rally takes place on the quad. For the parking of the pep rally student’s faculty and community members are encouraged to park on campus. For instance, in the student center deck, the transportation hub deck, or the West commuter portion of campus.
However, it’s important to note that you MUST vacate the area after the conclusion of these events on the quad or you could possibly be towed due to the preparation for the game the next day. You do not want to be victim of the parking people; they care deeply about their roles and are not afraid to tow anyone. They’d probably tow their own grandmother if she was parked somewhere for too long before game day!
GAMEDAY
The moment we’ve all been waiting for, THE GAME! The Homecoming Football Game, Alabama vs Oklahoma, two great teams battling it out at 2:30 PM on Saban Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. This game will be a great matchup. This game will also be the game that the homecoming queen along with the rest of the homecoming court. They’ll walk down the field hand in hand with the governor of Alabama and other escorts.
Before the game, however, the homecoming parade will take place at 10am. The homecoming parade will travel down university boulevard going all the way down past the quad, down the long, long strip past campus. The homecoming parade will consist of many different orgs. For instance; the University of Alabama million dollar band, the cheerleaders, many different community leaders, volunteers, floats, sororities, different organizations, the homecoming queen, the homecoming court—and everybody else that you can think of. Everybody is there, you don’t want to miss it. It’s a parade filled with music, dance, and community with the grand marshal being UA alum Bob Hines.
Parade & Theme
The parade will start at Hudson Poole Fine Jewelers on Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa and continue through campus after turning east down University Boulevard. Local businesses are also participating in lawn decorating competitions called Paint the Town Red which can be seen on Friday and throughout the weekend.
Saturday wraps up the festivities of homecoming week with the pumping boards of the sororities being showcased on this day too. Pumping boards are the different creative boards that each sorority makes in correlation to the theme of homecoming. It’s a design filled with small balls of tissue paper put side by side to create an elaborate design or piece of art.
The theme of homecoming this week is “Lights, Crimson, Action!” and each event will have some sort of correlation to that with the decorations in the theme.
ADVICE
Homecoming is such a great way to connect with the community and get to know your fellow peers and students at the University of Alabama. Being at such a big school can be so overwhelming, but homecoming week can be such a great way to get out of your comfort zone. But my biggest piece of advice is to don’t overextend yourself.
There is so many different events to do and be a part of, but please don’t allow it to overwhelm you and cause you to be stressed out. You do not have to go to every event this week. Let me repeat that, you do not have to go to every event this week. Look at your calendar and find out which events work well with your schedule. Because at the end of the day, the academics don’t stop for homecoming. You still have your assignments due, you still have to go to class, you still have to take those tests, you still have to do those assignments, you still have to do those projects—-you still have to do everything that you were doing once before. The only difference is, there’s just more people outside and more spirit.
different colleges also participate by having specific spirit weeks dedicated to their college students. It’s so much information during this week and so many things to keep up with. One of the other pieces of advice to have when navigating homecoming is to constantly check the schedule. You do not have to go to everything, as I’ve stated before, go to what you can go to and scratch off what you can’t go to.
In conclusion, HAVE A GREAT HOCO WEEK, AND BE SAFE!
