Contact: Aspen Harris
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Student Association is kicking off a nostalgic series of events celebrating this year’s Homecoming Week, Oct. 29-Nov. 4.
The theme for this year, “Maroon Dreams: An Ode to the ’90s,” is inspired by the iconic decade of more than 20 years ago.
Returning to Homecoming Week this year is Battle for the Bulldog, or B4B, a campuswide competition hosted by the SA. All eight academic colleges have the opportunity to earn points in eligible events throughout the week. The winning college will be announced during the Homecoming football game and receive the B4B trophy.
Homecoming Week 2023 events include:
—Sunday [Oct. 29] 11:15 a.m.-noon. Homecoming Chapel Service, MSU Chapel of Memories. Open to all students, this service will feature Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt and the Black Voices gospel choir.
—Sunday [Oct. 29] 5-7 p.m. The Longest Table, Perry Cafeteria plaza. The SA event will offer food, fellowship and community building for students, faculty and staff. One B4B point will be awarded to the academic college of every student, faculty and staff member that attends. RSVP via Cowbell Connect.
—Monday [Oct. 30] 9-11 a.m. Rise and Shine with Royalty and Photo Scavenger Hunt, YMCA Plaza. Enjoy a free Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit with the Homecoming court while supplies last. Receive a list of hints from this event to participate in the Photo Scavenger Hunt for B4B points. Points will be awarded for each submitted picture.
—Tuesday [Oct. 31] 10 a.m.-2 p.m. T-Shirt Swap and Hats Off to Homecoming, Drill Field. Bring a lightly used T-shirt and exchange it for a 2023 Homecoming shirt while supplies last. Free, custom airbrush hats also are available to students while supplies last.
—Wednesday [Nov. 1] 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Crowns for a Cause, Drill Field. This event offers a chance for students, faculty and staff to learn more about the 2023 Homecoming king’s and queen’s service initiatives and donate to them. The first 300 people to donate will receive free dog bone cookies from State Fountain Bakery.
—Wednesday [Nov. 1] 6-9 p.m. ’90s Mall Madness, YMCA Plaza. A collaboration between the SA and Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, this event gives students a chance to experience the ’90s with arcade games, skating, food trucks and shopping. One B4B point will be awarded to the academic college of every student who attends.
—Thursday [Nov. 2] 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ’90s Trivia, Drill Field. Students can challenge their knowledge with ’90s-themed trivia questions. One B4B point will be awarded for each correct answer.
—Thursday [Nov. 2] (Time TBD; follow SA for more information). Homecoming Pep Rally, MSU Amphitheater. This event offers a night full of school spirit to celebrate Homecoming.
—Friday [Nov. 3] Noon-3 p.m. Maroon Dreams Photo Booth, Junction. Snap ’90s-themed pictures with friends to help capture the essence of MSU. One B4B point will be awarded for each picture.
—Friday [Nov. 3] 7 p.m. NPHC Step Show, Newell-Grissom Building. Chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council will give a public display of high-energy percussive dance. Tickets for this event can be purchased for $15 at https://msstate.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx.
—Saturday [Nov. 4] 6:30 p.m. Homecoming football game, MSU vs. Kentucky, Davis Wade Stadium. For more, visit https://hailstate.com/feature/gameday.
Additionally, all departments, student organizations, fraternity and sorority chapters, and residence hall councils are encouraged to compete in Homecoming door decorating, house and lawn displays, and banner competitions. All door, house and lawn decorations and displays must be complete before judging at noon, Nov. 1.
The banner competition is open to all student organizations, and blank banners provided by the Homecoming committee are now available to pick up through Oct. 27 in the MSU Center for Student Activities, Suite 314 in Colvard Student Union. Banners must be completed and dropped off in the center by 9 a.m. Oct. 30.
To sign up for a competition, visit https://msstate.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/611251.
All competition winners will be announced at the Homecoming football game, with the winning group in each category receiving a pizza party or a $500 credit to MSU Event Services/Union Operations.
For more on 2023 Homecoming Week activities, follow the MSU Student Association on Facebook @MSUStudentAssociation, Twitter and Instagram @MSU_SA, or visit www.cowbellconnect.msstate.edu.
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