Calling for the most spirit and enthusiasm a Bull can muster, the University of South Florida’s Homecoming Week is a celebration — a short recess from the stress and pressure of scholastic life. Amid incessant cramming for midterms, the weeklong event reminds students of the true camaraderie of the collegiate experience.
This year’s beefed up roster of events will take place through Oct. 11 with the theme “Once Upon a Homecoming,” and each day boasts an impressive lineup of activities for students, alumni and the community.
Mon., Oct. 6
A Homecoming tradition, several team competitions will take place during the week. Beginning on Monday, students can participate in the Center for Student Involvement’s soda can tab collection or the Charit – A – Bull can collection and construction competition.
From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., President Judy Genshaft, Rocky the Bull, the Herd of Thunder Marching Band and the USF Sun Dolls will be on hand in the Marshall Student Center Amphitheater for the official 2014 Homecoming Kickoff.
Team competitions continue into the evening, with flag football at 8 p.m. in Magnolia Fields.
Tues., Oct. 7
Leading up to the much awaited annual Stampede Comedy Show, the day’s events will include a USF Faculty & Staff Alumni Luncheon, the Chemistry Society’s “Once Upon a Land of Chemistry” in the MLK plaza, the Transfer Student Organization’s ice cream social and the team competition, Green & Gold Rush.
The hilarious Jo Koy — whom you might recognize as a former regular panel member on Chelsea Lately — will headline this year’s Stampede Comedy Show, with opener James Ponce.
Wed., Oct. 8
Taking place in Juniper Poplar Hall, the Honors College will sponsor Back to School, an event for Honors College alumni and students.
A long, treasured tradition, the Mad Hatter’s Homecoming Ball will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom. USF Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at the celebration.
Thurs., Oct. 9
The Homecoming Carnival will take over the Sun Dome parking lot from 4 p.m. to midnight with a horde of carnival rides and food trucks. The carnival will feature student performances during the Homecoming Showcase, as well as team competitions including mechanical bull riding and a tug of war.
The entertainment will continue at the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater at 7 p.m. with the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s 2014 Homecoming Extravaganza Step Show.
Fri., Oct. 10
The Homecoming Carnival will continue in the Sun Dome parking lot from 4 p.m. to midnight, kicking off a jam-packed day of festivities.
The day’s events will include a School of Music Alumni Reception, an Alumni 50th Anniversary Reception and SCATTER’s DWIT to Be Fit.
An annual Homecoming Week favorite, the Running with the Bulls Night Parade will start on Holly Drive at 7 p.m., and feature over 50 floats representing USF departments, student organizations and local businesses. Watch parties and food trucks will be set up along the route.
At 8 p.m. in the Sun Dome parking lot, rapper T.I. will join a list of hip-hop heavyweights (including Ludacris and Wiz Khalifa) who have headlined the Homecoming After Party. The trap sounds of TWRK! will open the concert.
Sat., Oct. 11
The week’s relentless festivities will be capped off with a game between the Bulls and the East Carolina Pirates at Raymond James Stadium.
This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2014.