The Pittsburg State University Homecoming Committee has announced the 2022 Homecoming calendar and theme: “Be Bold, Red and Gold.”
Homecoming activities will begin on Monday, October 17th and continue through Saturday, October 22nd, involving current students and employees, bringing alumni back to town and injecting crimson and gold spirit throughout the community.
The program includes:
Monday
Door decoration presentations will be assessed; Be sure to check out the campus and surrounding properties for doors with the best PSU spirit!
Copyright voting will open online at noon for PSU students with PSU credentials.
Homecoming Kickoff, a student-only event, will begin at 6:30 pm at Carnie Smith Stadium; inclement weather will move it to the Robert W. Plaster Center with activities including inflatables, yard games and live music by Quite Frankly.
Free food will be provided by PSU Alumni & Constituent Relations.
Tuesday
A long-standing tradition, raft races will be held at 5 pm on University Lake for two-person teams representing student organizations. Inclement weather will move the event to Wednesday.
All are welcome to watch the races and lawn chairs are recommended.
Wednesday
Banana Extravaganza is a day of student-only activities featuring free food and dining from The Blue Spoon.
Thursday
Copyright voting closes at noon, as does the Cutest Pitt State Pet Contest.
Another long-standing tradition, student organizations will compete in the Yell Like Hell starting at 7:00 PM in Carnie Smith Stadium (rain location: John Lance Arena in the Garfield Weede Building). Homecoming court to be announced.
The Homecoming Champion will also be recognized, with organizations competing in multiple aspects of Homecoming eligible to win this trophy.
The event is open to the public and will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Friday
The award winners Dr. Kenneth K. Bateman Distinguished Alumni will be recognized at a reception at 4:30 p.m. in the Wilkinson Alumni Center, 401 E. Ford St. It is open to the public.
From 6 to 8 p.m., The Taste of Pittsburg will be held in the Overman Student Center’s Crimson & Gold Ballroom, sponsored by PSU Alumni & Constituent Relations. Restaurants from around Pittsburg will offer samples, there will be live music, and outstanding alumni winners will be recognized again.
Tickets: 620-235-4758 or pittstate.edu/tasteofpittsburg
Saturday
Perhaps the oldest of Homecoming traditions, the Homecoming Parade will be held in downtown Pittsburg beginning at 9 am.
It will feature bands, floats and other parade entries in Pittsburg and surrounding cities. The PSU Pride of the Plains marching band will lead the way. To register for the parade, complete the online registration form at pittstate.campuslabs.com/engage/ before midnight on Sunday, October 16.
The parade route runs along Broadway from 11th and Broadway to Second Street. Parking is available in free public parks and side streets surrounding the area.
GorillaFest will open at 11 a.m. in Gorilla Village, east of Carnie Smith Stadium, with a variety of food trucks, bounce houses, entertainment by Dan Duling and Stone Country, the Pride of the Plains Marching Band and Pitt State’s dance and cheer teams.
From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., alumni authors Gene Bicknell and Miles Schnaer will hold a book signing next to the Alumni Tent in Gorilla Village for their newly published titles, “Hermit: A Novel” and “Take the Crown: 18 Core”. Principles for growing your business and improving your life.”
The football game will begin at 2:00 p.m., with the Gorillas hosting Missouri Western. Tickets: Free for PSU employees and students with ID in person at the PSU Box Office in the Weede Building. The public can purchase them in person, or by calling 620-235-4796, or on line.
