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The 2025-26 WIU women's basketball team will serve as this year's Homecoming grand marshals.
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2025-26 WIU Women’s Basketball Team Named Homecoming Grand Marshals

October 8, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - Following a season for the books, the 2025-26 WIU women's basketball team will serve as the 2026 WIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals. The Homecoming parade will begin on the Macomb Square at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Leathernecks had a remarkable 2025-26 season, picking up multiple team and individual accolades as they played their way to a first-round appearance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, their first since 2017. By the end of the season, the team had earned Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular season and tournament champion titles as well as a sixth place national ranking in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls.

"The success of the women's basketball team brought the entire community together, creating a shared sense of pride and excitement both on and off campus," said Director of Alumni Engagement Marnie Steach. "We're thrilled to have the team

Individual honors amongst the team included


  • JD Gravina, head coach: OVC Coach of the Year, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year

  • Mia Nicastro, forward: OVC Female Athlete of the Year, OVC Women's Basketball Player of the Year, OVC All-Tournament Team; All-OVC First Team, Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year finalist, Lilly Women's College All-Star Game selection

  • Addi Brownfield, guard: OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, All-OVC First Team, OVC Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award

  • Mallory Shetley, forward: OVC Tournament MVP, OVC All-Tournament Team, OVC All-Newcomer Team

Also contributing to the success of the season were team members Madison Davis, Shelby Bowman, Allie Meadows, Maria Messling, Raegan McCown, Ainsley Holthaus, Kennedy Herrig, Sidney Skrobot, Kaylen Reed and Katelyn Eggena. Coaching staff for the 2025-26 season included associate head coach Dan Chapla, assistant coaches Alexa Tovella and Olivia Travis and graduate assistant coach Alyssa Nimz.

"Serving as Grand Marshals for the parade this year is an incredible honor for our team," said Gravina. "Homecoming is all about celebrating the Leatherneck family and community. To have our players represent WIU in this special tradition is something we are extremely proud of."

The 2026 Homecoming parade will start on the Macomb Square and continue on toward campus, with its final destination being the Alumni House on Adams Street.

To view the parade map or register an entry in the parade, visit https://www.wiu.edu/homecoming/parade.php. For more information about WIU's Homecoming 2026 celebration, visit wiu.edu/homecoming.

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