University News

WIU Fall Homecoming Shifts to Virtual Celebration

September 4, 2020

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – As the Western Illinois University Homecoming celebration prepares to honor the University's long-standing traditions, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced this year's event to be moved to a virtual format with Part I Oct. 9-10 and Part II in person in Spring 2021.

Virtual Homecoming 2020 "Rocky Through the Decades: Purple and Gold Never Get Old" will be held Oct. 9-10, with a second celebration planned for Spring 2021. Because the pandemic has postponed the 2020 Missouri Valley Football Conference until spring, a date for the second celebration will be announced once a schedule is set.

The schedule for the October celebration includes:

Friday, Oct. 9:

• Homecoming 2020 kicks off live on Zoom: 8 a.m.

• Meeting with the WIU Alumni Council on Zoom: noon-1 p.m.

• Choose from virtual beer and cheese pairing or virtual wine and cheese pairing on Zoom: 5:30-6:30 p.m.


Saturday, Oct. 10:

• Virtual Old Stompin' Ground Runaround can be completed anywhere and anytime that day. Choose to run, walk, jog or workout on a treadmill to complete the 5K. Submit a photo of yourself in your WIU gear for a chance to be featured on the WIU Alumni Association's social media accounts. Online registration can be completed at wiu.com/web-apps/Alumni.

• Homecoming Parade live on Zoom: 10:30 a.m. The drive-by parade will include Interim President Martin Abraham, WIU Football Coach Jared Elliott and WIU football players and football alumni. Cars will line-up in a Macomb parking lot, to be named later, and participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles in purple and gold. Participants should remain in their vehicles during the parade. The parade is expected to run from noon-1 p.m.

• Noon-1 p.m.: Zoom with Interim President Abraham, Coach Elliott, WIU football player and WIU football alumnus.

• At-Home WIU Tailgate on Zoom: 1-2 p.m.: WIU alumni and friends are encouraged to tailgate at home just as if they were in Q-Lot. Be sure to send in pictures of you and your crew celebrating in your WIU gear. Information will be provided soon on how to have your tailgate go live on our Zoom sometime between 1-2 p.m. and how to provide your photos.

A montage of photos and videos from past WIU Homecoming celebrations will be available to view.

All details, links, zoom meeting information, registrations for events and details on how to buy t-shirts will be available soon at wiu.edu/alumni.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing