Dayra Gonzalez Homecoming: a week of traditionsÂ
THE RIDER FILE PHOTO
UTRGV’s Homecoming Week will take place for the first time during the fall semester, aligning with football season and bringing students several events to attend.
Scheduled from today to Saturday, the celebration features a variety of activities across both campuses. From art contests and fitness games to community service initiatives and tailgates, the week will culminate with the Homecoming football game against the University of the Incarnate Word Saturday at the Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg.
Cristina Rodriguez, assistant director for Student Activities, said the move to fall reflects the university’s growing football culture and aims to connect students through school spirit.
“Homecoming initially was connected to basketball,” Rodriguez said. “But with the transition to football, we’ve aligned it with the season so students can have a new experience that ties into the energy of game days.”
She said while the university previously hosted Homecoming in February, future celebrations are planned to continue in the fall semester.
Hashim Elshafie, a biology sophomore, and Bobbie Caldwell, an early childhood studies sophomore, said they agreed the move to fall “makes sense.” Caldwell added Homecoming is a great way to engage with campus life.
The Student Union hosted Paint Vaquero Pride, a spirit painting contest, Thursday and Friday on the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. Students decorated boards representing their organizations which, according to Rodriguez, will be displayed throughout the week.
According to university officials and the university’s Homecoming webpage, Homecoming Week officially begins today with the Touchdown for Good: Canned Food Drive Competition, benefiting the UTRGV Student Food Pantry. Also today, the Homecoming Block Party will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Student Union lawn on the Brownsville campus and at the same time Tuesday on the Edinburg Chapel lawn. Both will feature local performances, food and giveaways.
Students can participate in the Vaquero Games, hosted by University Recreation, testing agility and strength at 1 p.m. Tuesday on the Student Union lawn on the Brownsville campus and at 3 p.m. Wednesday on the Edinburg campus.
A new event, Vaquero STAMPede, will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Main Building on the Brownsville campus, where students can design art pieces using custom Vaquero-themed stamps, some of them created in a collaboration with the art department, according to Rodriguez.
The traditional Wrapping of the Letters returns at 2 p.m. Thursday on the University Ballroom lawn on the Edinburg campus, where students prepare the UTRGV letters for the following day’s Burning of the Letters, a long-standing tradition scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Lot E-16.
On Saturday, students can join the Homecoming Student Game Day Experience tailgate starting at 2 p.m. in the Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Christopher Stubbs, assistant director of Student Activities for Evening and Weekend Programming, said the tailgate event will feature plenty of giveaways and entertainment.
“We’re planning to have a dunk tank, a field-goal competition and a mechanical bull,” Stubbs said. “There’ll also be free Homecoming shirts, 100 free student tickets, a cookoff hosted by the [Student Government Association] and live music at the Amphitheater.”
Berta Maldonado, assistant director of Center for Student Involvement, said organizing Homecoming involves teamwork across several departments under Student Affairs.
“It’s like a big family,” Maldonado said. “We all come together to create experiences for our students, whether they’re in organizations or not, because we want everyone to have a good time and feel connected.”
Laycie Avila, a visual communication design freshman, said she is excited to attend for the first time.
“It’s a way for everybody to just have fun and also come together and meet new people,” Avila said.
Maldonado encouraged students to participate, even if they plan to attend alone.
“Don’t be afraid to come by yourself,” she said. “You’re part of a monumental time at UTRGV, so come to at least one event and maybe you’ll want to come back for the rest of the week.”
For a full schedule and event details, visit utrgv.edu/homecoming.
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