Marshall University has announced its 2024 Homecoming activities, promising a week filled with nostalgia, camaraderie and spirited festivities for students and alumni alike. The theme this year is “The Marco Games,” which takes a Marshall spin on multi-sport events from a wide range of disciplines providing unity and athletic excellence.
The Homecoming game is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, against Appalachian State University at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
“We are pleased to announce the return of events that our Marshall and Huntington communities look forward to attending,” said Tiffany Hartman, assistant dead of student life. “This year, we’re also introducing new activities for families to enjoy together. Additionally, the Homecoming Court will be bringing awareness and raising funds for nonprofit organizations during Homecoming Week. We invite everyone to join us on Monday, Sept. 30, for the Unity Walk, where we will announce this year’s Homecoming Court and begin a week of celebration and community engagement.”
The Marshall University Alumni Association is eager to welcome back members of the Marshall family, recognizing the vital role alumni play in the university’s continued growth and success.
“Homecoming is a powerful reminder of the roots that ground an institution like Marshall, reinforcing the ties that bind so many generations together with one theme,” said Walker Tatum, director of alumni engagement. “This Homecoming, we’re excited to launch The Marco Games – a celebration that channels Marshall’s competitive spirit. It’s not just about competition though; it’s about rekindling friendships and celebrating our shared journeys past and present. So, gather yourself, your fellow alumni, dust off that Kelly green, and prepare for an unforgettable weekend filled with laughter, nostalgia and pride. Let the thundering commence!”
Please see a full list of events and activities below:
Monday, Sept. 30
Activities for the week begin at 5 p.m. with the Unity Walk, an annual event celebrating unity, inclusion and oneness on campus with music, fellowship and fun. Community members are invited and encouraged to participate. The walk begins at the Marshall Rec Center and ends at the Memorial Student Center Plaza. Marshall’s Homecoming Court will also be announced at the event.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Student Affairs will host the Green and White Giving Competition from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, through Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Memorial Student Center Lobby. Homecoming court candidates will raise funds for a nonprofit of their choosing. The organizations that received the most funding will be announced at the bonfire Friday, Oct. 4.
Student Affairs will also host Salsa Under the Stars from 7-9 p.m. in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. There will be dancing and the Charleston Salsa Club will provide lessons. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Black United Students Organization presents the Miss Captivating of Marshall University Scholarship Pageant, will take place at 7 p.m. in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center. The pageant was created for young college women to showcase themselves beyond beauty and further develop leadership skills, confidence and creativity.
Thursday, Oct. 3
The Marshall University Alumni Association will host its annual Office Decorating Contest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Any department or office is welcome to participate. There will be prizes offered in three categories in each of two divisions, and two grand prizes. Winners will be announced during the Bonfire on Friday.
Homecoming StamFEED returns at 5:30 p.m., starting at LaFontaine’s Rooftop Lounge. All are welcome to kick off Homecoming weekend in Downtown Huntington at several favorite restaurants! Tickets are $75 and proceeds will benefit a Marshall University Alumni Association scholarship. Tickets may be purchased at https://homecomingstamfeed2024.eventbrite.com.
Hoops in Huntington returns at 7 p.m. along Third Avenue across from Pullman Square. Hoops in Huntington event highlights Herd athletics, including introductions from student-athletes and coaches, fun activities for families and more!
Wild N’ Out, an annual event full of fun and laughs centered on improvisational comedy, will take place at 10 p.m. in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.
Friday, Oct. 4
WMUL will host its annual Car Bash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Buskirk Field. Join us as participants pay $1 to bash the car, painted in Appalachian State University’s colors, with a sledgehammer for two minutes. Sledgehammer, gloves and goggles will be provided.
Stop by the Memorial Student Center to register for Parent and Family Weekend from 2-6 p.m.
At 5 p.m. Friday, the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association will celebrate the 25th and 50th classes at Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation. The 1974 and 1999 class members are also invited to observe Marshall’s Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Register for this event by visiting https://marshallreunion2024.eventbrite.com.
The Homecoming parade will march down the streets of Huntington, featuring Dorothy “Dot” Hicks as grand marshal. Hicks is a former administrator, coach and professor at Marshall, and was dubbed the “pioneer of the women’s sports program at Marshall,” during her induction to Marshall Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 1990. Hicks has also left a legacy of philanthropic giving toward the university with multiple scholarships bearing her name. In March 2008, Marshall opened Dot Hicks Field, the university’s softball stadium.
The parade will begin on Fourth Avenue at 10th Street and travel east to Hal Greer Boulevard, where it will move up to Fifth Avenue and continue east to 17th Street at Harless Dining Hall. For those who are unable to attend the Homecoming parade in person, a livestream of the event may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/marshallu.
The annual bonfire is scheduled to take place immediately following the parade on Harless Field (located between Harless Dining Hall and City National Bank). Announcements will be made for the winners of the Green and White Giving Competition, the Office Decorating Contest, and the parade floats. There will also be special appearances by coaches, players, cheerleaders and more.
At 7:30 p.m., Marshall University Black Alumni will host its Hall of Fame ceremony in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. Honorees include Mrs. Edna Congleton, Mr. Larry Jarrett, Mr. William “Mickey” Jackson, Mr. Bernie Coston and Ms. LaKeisha Barron-Brown.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, there will be a Herd Family Feud night taking place in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse along Fifth Avenue. This event is free and open to everyone.
At 10 p.m., Family Fun Night will be hosted in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center for board games, video games and more. This event is free and open to everyone.
From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. a silent disco will take place in Marco’s in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. For more information, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu. This event is free and open to everyone.
Saturday, Oct. 5
At 12:30 p.m., the annual Marshall Alumni and Family Tailgate will take place in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot, beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex. The tailgate is hosted jointly by the Marshall University Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni, and presented by Woodlands Retirement Community. The tailgate features food, drinks, music and special guest appearances. Tickets to attend are $20. For tickets, visit https://muaatailgate2024.eventbrite.com.
A tailgate brunch accompanying Parent and Family Weekend will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in the John Marshall Room of the Memorial Student Center. Intercultural Affairs will have a family gathering from 1-3 p.m. on the East Lawn.
The Thundering Herd will take on Appalachian State University at 3:30 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. During halftime, the Homecoming Court will be crowned on the field.
Greek life at Marshall will compete in the Greek Stroll-Off Competition at 8 p.m. in Marco’s in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. A stroll-off competition showcases a team’s agility, creativity and understanding of rhythm and dance as they show precision, synchronization, originality and showmanship. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.
Marshall University Black Alumni will host its Masquerade Alumni Party from 8 p.m. to midnight at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Huntington. There will be a DJ, food and more!
To learn more about the week’s calendar of events, visit https://www.marshall.edu/homecoming/events.