Southeastern celebrates Homecoming Week Oct. 9-14

Monday, October 9, 2023
by: Tonya Lowentritt

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate Homecoming Week Oct. 9 – 14 with a myriad of spirited activities capped by tailgating, reunions, a parade and football action in Strawberry Stadium.
     With the theme “Roomie’s Space Adventure,” Homecoming 2023 is being sponsored by the Alumni Office with the Southeastern Student Government Association sponsoring all student-related activities. The week culminates on Homecoming Day Saturday, Oct. 14, when the Lions take on Lamar University at 3 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. Additionally, the Southeastern Pennington Student Activity Center will be offering free workouts for alumni all week.
     First up on Monday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Breezeway with Homecoming Kickoff, which features snacks, music, activities, and giveaways. In addition, the National Pan-Hellenic Council Black Family Reunion is set Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., in the Student Union breezeway.
     On Tuesday, Oct. 10, the action begins at 11 a.m. with “Lunch with the Lions.” Following at 2 p.m. is the annual Phi Kappa Phi Quiz bowl, when students and faculty battle it out in the Student Union, room 2207. Railroad Roar is also scheduled Tuesday, when local downtown businesses will offer a day full of specials and discounts. The activities will culminate with an event at Railroad Park in partnership with Southeastern Alumni Association, the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce and Hammond Downtown Development District from 5:30 – 7 p.m. with live music from the Seymours, giveaways and more. Tuesday evening is also Movie Night in the Student Union Theater, where University Housing will sponsor a special screening of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 at 7 p.m.    
     Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., features Gumbo Yaya, where students will enjoy free food and fun on campus and the 2023 Homecoming court will be introduced.  
     On Thursday, Oct. 12, Lyceum Lights is scheduled at noon in the Student Union Ballroom C. The University Police Department and Counseling Center will also host “Moon Pies and Rocket Dogs,” where students can hot dogs and moon pies. ROTC will hold an alumni reunion at La Carreta in downtown Hammond at 6 p.m., and the annual Lip Sync competition for students begins at 7 p.m. in the University Center.
     The Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni Memorial Brick Installation and Eternal Ritual at Friendship Circle Memorial Plaza is scheduled Friday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m., followed by the Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Awards Evening in the Student Union Ballroom  at 6 p.m. Also scheduled that evening is the African American Alumni Chapter’s Homecoming Mixer at the Alumni Center, from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.  
     Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, a 1984 graduate of Southeastern, will be recognized as Alumnus of the Year, while Barriere Construction President/CEO Jason Latiolais will be honored as the Young Alumnus of the Year. Tickets for the event are available at the Alumni Association, (985) 549-2150, or online at southeastern.edu/alumniawardsregistration.
     On Homecoming Day, Oct. 14, the bookstore will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The focus of the day’s events shifts to Friendship Circle, where visitors can enjoy tailgating, reunions, and entertainment starting at 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 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.    
     Sponsored by Fidelity Bank, the Alumni Association tailgate will be officially open in Friendship Circle from 12 – 2:30 p.m. featuring live music by the band Brittany Jenkins.
     After pre-game activities, the Lions will kick off against Lamar University at 3 p.m. The 2023 Homecoming Royalty will be announced and crowned at halftime.    
     For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2023 events, visit southeastern.edu/homecoming or call the Alumni Center, 1-800-SLU-ALUM or (985) 549-2150.