Meghan Zimbler
Photo Editor
It is that time of year again when the weather gets a bit colder, the leaves start to change and Homecoming is rapidly approaching the Springfield College campus.
Homecoming is a time when students think of football and fun events on campus, but this weekend is special. It is also the time when alumni of Springfield College come back to their home of spirit, mind and body.
Many alumni return this weekend to revisit old memories and simply because of the events put on around campus. Typically 1,000 or more members of the Springfield College extended family come home for this tremendous weekend of events.
“This is an extra fun Homecoming,” said Tamie Kidess Lucey, the director of Alumni Relations.
There are extra special events going on this year, including a celebration of the 50th year of women’s varsity athletics and the 45th anniversary of the men’s soccer team’s undefeated season.
The entire weekend a symposium on Girls and Women in Sports will be taking place, including a presentation on Saturday by Donna Lopiano, president of Sports Management Resources and also the former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation. This presentation will be taking place Saturday at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The women of the first four teams in 1963-64 are being brought back to Springfield to be honored the entire weekend.
On Saturday night, Springfield College will honor some of our star-studded alums at the Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. Special honors include the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, the Young Alumnus/a Award, and the Tarbell Medallion. These awards are given to alumnus who have kept the Humanics Philosophy in their everyday lives since graduating from Springfield.
Kidess Lucey compares Homecoming Weekend to a family reunion.
“Whether they have been apart for four to five months, because they graduated in May, or if they’ve been apart for 45 years…I think that it is that same kind of sentiment and emotion that you would have coming to see family members,” said Kidess Lucey.
Another tradition taking place this weekend is the 104th Annual Gymnastics Exhibition Show. The show highlights more than a century of gymnastics heritage at Springfield College, and it is usually one of the most heavily attended events during the weekend. The theme is, “We’ve Got Talent,” and is open to students and alumni, alike.
“Home Show” is one of the oldest traditions at Springfield College, and is being looked forward to by the Springfield College family.
“Each year it gets bigger, better, [and] bolder. It just amazes me.”
Another exciting tradition that takes place at Springfield College is the annual Rope Pull. The alumni are defending champions of this event. Each year the pull brings fun to all.
A newer tradition for Homecoming Weekend is Springfield College’s Cupcake Wars, brought to campus by the Student Alumni Association. This event is filled with prizes, creating a twist between two popular shows, “DC Cupcake” and “Cupcake Wars.”
There will be sports games taking place all weekend, including men’s soccer versus MIT at 1 p.m. and football taking on St. Lawrence University at 1:30 p.m., both on Saturday.
Whether it is attending the alumni events, or even kicking back in the tailgating parking lot before the games, there is something for everyone, including present students.
“When two alums are connecting after whatever the span of time is, that moment when they see each other is just magical,” said Kidess Lucey.
Homecoming Weekend runs from October 24-27, with events happening all weekend around campus.
“Today’s students are tomorrows alumni.”