STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tradition takes center stage as Tarleton State University welcomes returning alumni for Homecoming 2023. Activities are scheduled each night next week, beginning with Sunday’s Memorial Homecoming 5K Run and Lighting of the Smokestack and culminating Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Texans’ football matchup with Morehead State.
The Silver Bugle Hunt, a university-wide scavenger hunt with more than 70 years of history behind it, is Monday; Launching of the Ducks and Purple Pancakes are Tuesday; Wednesday features the Yell Contest, Snake Dance and Beating of the Drum. The Purple Out Picnic and concert are on the menu for Thursday.
The weekend kicks off Friday with a full slate, capped by the L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire. The Homecoming parade and tailgate party take place Saturday before the game.
Tarleton State outreach campuses will get in on the fun, too. Fort Worth will serve up Purple Pancakes and have a Purple Out Picnic. Waco plans a Homecoming Hoedown, and both sites will roll out their version of Launching of the Ducks and the A&M RELLIS campus will launch for the first time.
Homecoming 2023 events:
Sunday, Oct. 15
- 5 p.m. – Memorial Homecoming 5K Run, Rudder Way at Rome Street
- 7:30 p.m. – Lighting of the Smokestack, parking/P5
Monday, Oct. 16
- 11:30 a.m. – Alumni Faculty-Staff Luncheon, Thompson Student Center ballrooms
- 5:30 p.m. – Launching of the Ducks and Purple Out Picnic, Tarleton-Fort Worth front lawn
- 6:30 p.m. – Silver Bugle Hunt, Trogdon House
- 11 p.m. – Midnight Madness, Wisdom Gym
Tuesday, Oct. 17
- 11 a.m. – Purple Pancakes, Tarleton-Fort Worth
- 5:30 p.m. – Launching of the Ducks, Nursing Building reflecting pool
- 9:14 p.m. – Walk Like a Sigma, Dining Hall patio
- 10 p.m. – Purple Pancakes, Dining Hall patio
Wednesday, Oct. 18
- 10 a.m. – Homecoming Hoedown, Waco MAC Building quad
- 11:30 a.m.-Launching of the Ducks, RELLIS Courtyard
- Noon – Launching of the Ducks, Waco PAC fountain
- 9 p.m. – Yell Contest, Snake Dance and Beating of the Drum, Wisdom Gym
- 9 p.m. – Yell Bingo, Thompson Student Center
Thursday, Oct. 19
- 7 p.m. – Purple Out Picnic & Concert Celebrating 100 Years of Purple Poo-TTS, Meet the Homecoming Court, parking/P6
- 7 p.m. – Tarleton Soccer vs. California Baptist, soccer complex
Friday, Oct. 20
- 10:00 a.m. – J. Dixon White Homecoming Golf Tournament, Harbor Lakes Golf Club, Granbury
- 11:30 a.m. – Distinguished Alumni Luncheon, Dining Hall (Invitation Only)
- 3 p.m. – Alumni Homecoming Registration, Thompson Student Center ballrooms
- 5 p.m. – Alumni Welcome Home Social, Thompson Student Center ballrooms
- 8 p.m. – L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire, Agriculture Center
Saturday, Oct. 21
- 8 a.m. – College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Breakfast, Agriculture Center
- 8 a.m. – Alumni Parade Watch Party and Breakfast, Alumni Association House
- 10 a.m. – 2023 Homecoming Parade, encircling campus via Washington and McIlhaney streets
- Noon – Celebration Honoring 100 Years of Purple Poo-TTS, Heritage Park
- 1 p.m.– Student Life Reunion Hall, Thompson Student Center ballrooms
- 1 p.m. – Tarleton Volleyball v. UTRGV, Wisdom Gym
- 2 p.m. – Homecoming Tailgate Party, Texan Alley
- 2:40 p.m. – Pointe du Hoc, Dining Hall to Rudder statue
- 6 p.m. – Tarleton Texans vs. Morehead State, Memorial Stadium/Crowning of Homecoming Queen and King
For the latest information about Homecoming, visit www.tarleton.educoming.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.