Southeastern celebrates Centennial Homecoming Week Oct. 13-18

Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate its Centennial Homecoming Week Oct. 13 – 18, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of 100 years of tradition, spirit, and community. From family-friendly events to alumni gatherings and the big game, there’s something for everyone.

The Centennial Homecoming 2025 is sponsored by the Alumni Office with the Southeastern Student Government Association sponsoring all student-related activities. The week culminates on Homecoming Day Saturday, Oct. 18, when the Lions take on the Northwestern Demons at 4 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.

Homecoming Week will offer a number of time-honored traditions, such as Gumbo YaYa for students and the FeLions’ Homecoming luncheon. 
First up on Monday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Breezeway is Homecoming Kickoff, which features food, music, activities, and giveaways. In addition, the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Family Reunion is set at 7 p.m., in the Student Union breezeway.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the action begins at 11 a.m. with “Lunch with the Lions.” Following at 1 p.m. is a special presentation from former Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne as he narrates a story-telling adventure and presents an LPB documentary titled “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else!”. Presented by the Universities of Louisiana Management and Leadership Institute, the presentation is scheduled in the Student Union Theatre.

Also scheduled Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. is the annual Phi Kappa Phi Quiz bowl, when students and faculty battle it out in the iHub, located in Sims Library. Tuesday evening culminates with Minute to Win It from 5 until 8 p.m. in the University Center.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., features Gumbo Yaya in the Student Union breezeway, where students will enjoy free food and fun on campus and the 2025 Homecoming court will be introduced. Following is the Centennial Relay from 5 until 7 p.m. in Cook Field. 

On Thursday, Oct. 16, the annual Lip Sync competition for students begins at 4 p.m. in the University Center. Also that day is Throwback Thursday from 5:30 until 8 p.m. in downtown Hammond. Be sure to check in at Railroad Park and register to receive an exclusive Centennial gift. Enjoy live music and stroll through downtown to meet up with college groups and organizations. 

Friday, Oct. 17 kicks off with Restock the Food Pantry. Individuals can help fill the food pantry from 7:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. to fight food insecurity at Southeastern. Also happening that morning is an official ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Southeastern Alumna and Good Morning America Co-Anchor Robin Roberts, as she officially opens the new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. Following the ceremony is a special Centennial-themed lunch offered for $7 in the Mane Dish from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

Also on Friday is a campus tour from 1 until 3 p.m. Participants can reconnect with Southeastern and see how the campus has grown, explore new buildings, hear about student life today, and experience the university’s evolution firsthand. Following at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre is a special showing of “Southeastern 100,” the Centennial documentary.

Oct. 17 also holds the Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni Memorial Brick Installation and Eternal Ritual at Friendship Circle Memorial Plaza at 5 p.m. The Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Awards Evening follows in the Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m., when  2025 Alumnus of the Year District Attorney Scott Perrilloux and 2025 Young Alumnus of the Year David Cavell will be honored. Rounding out the evening is the African American Alumni Chapter’s Homecoming Mixer at the Alumni Center, from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.    

On Homecoming Day, Oct. 18, the bookstore will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will have a merchandise trailer available in Friendship Circle, where the focus of the day’s events shift. Visitors can enjoy tailgating, reunions, and entertainment starting at 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to leave pets at home.

The annual Homecoming parade will roll at 11:30 a.m. Following the parade, Lion fans can cheer on Head Coach Frank Scelfo and his team during the “Lion Walk” as they make their way through Friendship Circle to Strawberry Stadium. A special open-air concert by the Chee-Weez is also scheduled at 1 p.m. near the ticket booth by East Strawberry Stadium across from Dyson Hall.

After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Northwestern State at 4 p.m., and the 2025 Homecoming Royalty will be announced and crowned at halftime.

For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2025 events, call the Alumni Center at 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150, or visit southeastern.edu/homecoming.