By Ryan Hughes, University Communications and Marketing
After being postponed due to Hurricane Milton, the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV is
ready to welcome the community to celebrate Homecoming events Nov. 4-9. Homecoming
is one of Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s oldest and most treasured traditions.
Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV invites the Tampa Bay community to join students, alumni, faculty and staff at
dozens of events including a carnival, comedy show, parade and the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV football game
on Saturday, Nov. 9, as the Bulls take on the Navy Midshipmen at Raymond James Stadium.
In addition, the groundbreaking ceremony for Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s transformational on-campus stadium
will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, during Homecoming Week, adding even
more excitement and significance to the occasion.
This year’s Homecoming theme – Forever Green and Gold – celebrates the university through the years and will bring together alumni from
all generations to enjoy the festivities. There are more than 386,000 living alumni
and approximately 270,000 live in Florida. Among Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV employees, roughly 3,000, or
one in five, are alumni.
Key Homecoming events include:
Monday, Nov. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Homecoming Kickoff (Tampa campus)
Join the kickoff celebration in the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater to hang with
Rocky, hear the Herd of Thunder band, meet the Homecoming Royal Court and enjoy free
food and promotional items. And, new this year: Kickoff includes Aux Cord Wars, an
old school DJ competition vibe experience. The event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 8:30 p.m. | Round Up Comedy Show (Tampa campus)
Join us in the Yuengling Center for the Round Up Comedy Show. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
and Trevor Wallace takes the stage around 8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to
the public after students are admitted.
Friday, Nov. 8 | 5 p.m. | Homecoming Carni-Bull (Tampa campus)
Parking Lot 35 is the place to be for carnival rides, food and performances. A variety
of family friendly and adult rides will be available for everyone to enjoy. Rides
and games are free. Food is available for purchase.
Friday, Nov. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Running of the Bulls Parade and Watch Party (Tampa campus)
Come watch the Running of the Bulls Parade and support your favorite student organizations,
local businesses and Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV departments. Watch the parade along Holly Drive, Genshaft
Drive or Alumni Drive. This year's Grand Marshal is retired Gen. Frank McKenzie,
executive director of Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s Global and National Security Institute and the Florida
Center for Cybersecurity.
Saturday, Nov. 9 | Noon | Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Football v. Navy Midshipmen: Salute to Service Game
(Raymond James Stadium)
This year’s Homecoming football game takes on special meaning in the wake of hurricanes
Helene and Milton as we salute our first responders who helped our community during
rescue and recovery efforts. Join us at Raymond James Stadium as the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Bulls take
on the Navy Midshipmen. Tickets are available for purchase . Horns up!
A complete list of events on all campuses can be found on Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s Homecoming webpage.