Homecoming brings back old faces

By MACKENZIE HARD 

Staff Writer

Each year, in mid-October, students across Mary Washington’s campus come together to celebrate Homecoming weekend, including Alumni.

“Homecoming is my favorite event of the year,” said alumni, Emily Dzubak. “I love being about to reconnect with people that I don’t get to see everyday and it’s always great being back in the Fredericksburg area.”

This event is one that draws many UMW alumni back to campus. Sometimes it is not just for the tailgating, many alumni come back to reconnect with their freshman roommates from back in the day and reminisce over their college memories.

With alumni coming back, it also means current students get to see past teammates or fellow club members.

“I’m most excited to see some of my friends who graduated last year and are flying back to Virginia,” said junior psychology major, Christina Amaral. “For Alpha Mu Sigma, we usually have a brunch [of activities] for the current members and alumni as well… It is great getting together and being able to spend time together.”

This year homecoming will also involve tailgating at the Battlegrounds.

“Last year was my first year tailgating for homecoming and it was a lot of fun,” said junior English major, Allison Tovey. “I got to see a lot of my classmates and make a few new friends along the way [and] I am really excited to do it again this year.” This years tailgating event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“I always love seeing alumni come back to campus,” said senior marketing major, Jackson Downey. “They seem so happy to be back and to see everyone they missed.”

For some UMW students, homecoming weekend means more than going to watch games or tailgating with one’s friends. Two big UMW homecoming traditions are the Big Ash Bonfire and Lip Sync.

“Personally, I love all the performances from the different groups on campus during the bonfire, along with the food that the university provides,” said sophomore psychology major, Sydney Coleman.

UMW Class Council is hosting a Lip Sync battle this year and it is going to be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. in the Dodd Auditorium.

“Lip Sync is my absolute favorite UMW tradition and event,” said junior psychology major, Paige Walton. “It’s a blast to come out and see so many different people and clubs fake sing their hearts out and I love seeing how creative everyone can be.”

Many UMW students and alumni come back and celebrate their own homecoming traditions. For the Women’s rugby team, this means it is a chance to play against current and past teammates.

“One of my favorite traditions happens on the rugby pitch,” said alumni, Heather Haddock. “The rugby alumni come back and play the current team… It’s a great way for all these women to connect and network for further team bonding.”

Homecoming is a time of making new connections and being able to reconnect with old friends. This years festivities start on Wednesday, then this weekend on Saturday at the UMW Battlegrounds the field hockey team will take on Salisbury at 12:30 p.m. Women’s soccer and men’s soccer will play Christopher Newport University at 1 p.m. with the women’s game. Women’s volleyball will go up against Southern Virginia University at 3 p.m. inside the arena.