As homecoming week at this university approaches, officials are preparing to celebrate some old and new traditions.
With “Think B1G!” as the theme, programming includes a long list of activities geared toward students, said Ashley Venneman, Student Homecoming Committee advisor.
Stamp Student Union drew committee representatives from different organizations across the campus and is now partnering with all of them to make sure everything is well-organized and involved for homecoming, said Residence Hall Association President Sree Sinha, a member of the committee.
“It is truly a campuswide initiative with more campus partners than ever before coming together to plan the week’s activities,” Venneman said.
Homecoming week starts Saturday, Oct. 11 and continues through the weekend after, ending with the football game against Iowa. Venneman said the week will include the annual Student Entertainment Events Homecoming Comedy Show, Powderpuff football, Juke Joint, Pre-Party and Pep Rally and Maryland Madness, among other annual events.
In addition to the football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, the men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball and field hockey teams also will have games throughout the week, Venneman said.
“We want to make sure to let students know that there are a number of different — and not just athletic — events for homecoming that are happening the entire week,” Sinha said.
Sinha said this year’s homecoming week will feature new events including a service event in partnership with Terps Against Hunger and a Homecoming Kick-off Party on La Plata Beach on Oct. 11, sponsored by the Interfraternity Council to officially start the week.
Other new events include Campus Recreation Services’ “Think B1G and Say ‘Om,’” where they’re trying to beat the world record for longest yoga chain; Decoration Bandits, in which student groups will decorate various parts of the campus; and an appearance by football coach Randy Edsall at the Pre-Party and Pep Rally for the football game, Venneman said.
Students can keep track of the events going on around the campus with the mobile homecoming guide on the TerpLife app.
“There seems to be great energy around our first homecoming as members of the Big Ten, and we hope that students will be excited to get to Byrd Stadium and cheer for the Terps against the Iowa Hawkeyes,” said Mike Glowacki, assistant to the Resident Life director.
