Student Activities Prepares for a Homecoming Weekend Filled with Events for Family and Alumni

Each year, Homecoming weekend brings thousands of students and alumni together for events and festivities that celebrate and reflect memories made at Liberty. 

This year’s Oct. 8-9 celebration will be even more special in honor of Liberty’s 50th birthday. 

According to Walker Sandler, an event supervisor for Student Activities, what makes the celebration more noteworthy goes beyond the 50th anniversary decorations on campus. One of the differences, he said, is the anticipated attendance, especially because last year’s celebration was virtual.

“This year is massive with over 8,000 alumni registered to come back for Homecoming,” Sandler said.

Student Activities employees have been hard at work planning a full calendar of events to accommodate all of the students and guests for the weekend. 

Highlights on Student Activities’ Homecoming schedule on Friday, Oct. 8, include a carnival, an alumni reunion, a Division I men’s hockey game, a homecoming concert and a bonfire. Saturday, Oct. 9 will offer a parade, an alumni tailgate, a Flames Fan Fest, a football game against Middle Tennessee State University and another Division I men’s hockey game.

“Try to do as much as you can,” Sandler said. “We would love to see alumni and visitors at the carnival with their kids or at bonfire catching up with old friends from their graduating class.”

Sandler added that tailgates for the football game will be fast-paced while the bonfire offers a more relaxed atmosphere. 

“Homecoming on the mountain means you can return home for a weekend and come back to the place where you might have formed some of the best friendships you’ve ever had,” he said. “We at Student Activities are excited to provide an experience that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.”

While Student Activities takes on the majority of the planning of Homecoming weekend, Sandler said that everyone pitches in to make an event of this size a success.

“We like to make it a group effort,” Sandler said. “Student Activities couldn’t do what it does without the help of other departments like Campus Recreation, Event Support, Event Production and Alumni Affairs.” 

Another Homecoming event this year will be the Deep Hollow half-marathon and 5K. These are organized by Campus Recreation will take place at Hydaway Outdoor Center, Oct. 9.  The half-marathon will start at 8 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 8:15 a.m.

“There is a great tradition of the Deep Hollow events on Liberty Mountain,” Mike Ellsworth, director of outdoor recreation, said. “This will be the 15th annual Deep Hollow half-marathon and 5K.”

According to Ellsworth, the races are usually held in mid-October but do not always coincide with Homecoming weekend. This year, because it aligns with Homecoming weekend, alumni have the opportunity to join in the fun too. 

“My favorite aspect of these races is the community participation that they have,” Ellsworth said. “I’ve been working these events since 2009 and I am always filled with joy on race day as I see familiar faces and friends crossing the finish line. Deep Hollow is such a unique LU event because it plugs our university right into the local community and helps to build strong friendships through physical competition.”

According to Ellsworth, about 250 runners are signed up to participate in the events, but his team is anticipating late registrations as the race draws nearer. 

Junior David Winemiller will be running the half-marathon with his sister, a Liberty alumna. 

“We enjoy participating in the seasonal races offered at Hydaway,” Winemiller said. “I look forward to testing my limits in running a half-marathon for the first time.”

The variety of events planned will allow students, faculty, alumni and family to come together and celebrate this milestone anniversary of their school.

Seiler is a news reporter. Follow her on Twitter at @seilermadalyn.