For Ohio University, Homecoming week is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. This year, Homecoming week is Oct. 5-10, with the Homecoming Parade closing out the activities.
OU Homecoming is rich with history, with traditions dating back over a century. Homecoming week grew, strengthening Bobcat pride across campus one tradition at a time.
Homecoming week features many traditional activities, including the Yell Like Hell Pep Rally on Oct. 8, the Homecoming Parade the morning of Oct. 10 and the Homecoming football game the afternoon of Oct. 10, which will be a white-out theme for students.
One of the staples of OU pride is the school’s marching band, the Marching 110. Alumni, staff, students and more support the Marching 110 and look forward to their performances.
Ben Osborne, a 2005 graduate of OU and former Marching 110 drum line member, has attended Homecoming Weekend for about 20 years to reconnect with the band. Osborne said he is grateful for the friendships in the 110 that keep him coming back to Athens.
“It keeps you connected to Athens, which is always nice,” Osborne said. “But more importantly, you get to just kind of step right back into it and reconnect with your friends. Some of which live around here and I see all the time, and others that have moved on and you might only get to see them every few years if they make it back. But it’s almost like you never left.”
Osborne also said the alumni are looking forward to seeing the new marching band field and celebrating Homecoming week uptown.
This year, the parade is on Saturday at 10 a.m. The parade brings together Bobcats and locals to celebrate organizations and everything OU on the streets of Athens.
For those who can not make it to celebrate Homecoming in person, the university is offering a livestream event of the parade.
Kelly Davidson, associate director for network and volunteer engagement with the Alumni Association, oversees the parade preparations.
The process involves coordination with student affairs, the international alumni network and others to make it possible for those outside of Athens to view and participate in the parade. Davidson said she is excited to meet with the alumni, especially those from the Marching 110.
“I am looking forward to the throngs of alumni that will be joining us both in-person and who will be joining us virtually,” Davidson said. “We do have a parade livestream link where our alums are able to register to attend the parade from the comfort of their home, and we are excited to see everyone back home.”
In addition to being a staff member for 19 years, Davidson is a proud alumna of OU. Davidson said she is grateful to be a part of the university that gave her a great college experience, and is looking forward to Homecoming activities this week.
“I’m a first-generation college student,” Davidson said. “I came to visit the campus as a high school student and absolutely fell in love with the beauty and warmth of our campus. So I came here, spent four of the best years of my life here, growing and developing, and to leave this place a fully functioning adult. To come back to work on campus fifteen years after I graduated and to still be here today is an honor I don’t take lightly.”
Davidson said she is proud to still be a part of the campus culture. For current students, attending Homecoming is also an exciting part of the Bobcat experience.
Ava Valentik, a sophomore studying nursing, is walking in the Homecoming Parade this year with the nursing program. Valentik said she cannot wait to be a part of the parade after watching it last year.
“This year, to be in it, I feel like I’m more part of the community now,” Valentik said. “I’m so excited to show up for all the people who come and watch, whether they’re from Athens or just families. So I’m excited to see all the people together, and be able to walk and make it a full, fun day.”
More information about the Homecoming Parade can be found on OU's website.
