Homecoming
Photo of Rocky laying on the field

Schedule of Events

Homecoming 2023 Schedule of Events

Alumni & Family Registration
Student Registration

Week of Events

Events all week long for current students from Monday, September 25 – Friday, September 29!

Rocky’s Hidden Chamber

  • Date: Wednesday, September 27
  • Time: 7-10 p.m.
  • Location: Student Center, Ballrooms
  • Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at “Rocky’s Hidden Chamber,” an exclusive speakeasy event. Discover a secret world of vintage elegance with expertly crafted mocktails, vintage casino games like blackjack and roulette, and captivating live performances. Make sure you come out in your finest 1920s attire and step into a world of glamour and mystique. Join us for a night of mocktails, gaming, and live entertainment!

Blade Rocky 2049

  • Date: Thursday, September 28
  • Time: 7-10 p.m.
  • Location: Student Center, Ballrooms
  • Jump into the cutting-edge world of “Blade Rocky 2049,” where the future comes alive. Get ready to embark on a virtual reality adventure like no other, where immersive VR games will transport you to realms beyond imagination. As you explore these digital landscapes, fill your taste buds with an array of mind-bending futuristic food creations such as glow-in-the-dark cotton candy!

Rocky’s Fiery Block Party

  • Date: Friday, September 29
  • Time: 7-10 p.m.
  • Location: Student Center, Quad
  • Get ready to turn up the heat at “Rocky’s Fiery Block Party!” This sizzling event brings the heat with a live DJ, food trucks, a rock wall for those looking to conquer new heights. There’s something for everyone with exciting activities, games, and things to do! Join us for a scorching good time that’ll ignite your senses and keep the party blazing all night long! Did we mention that there will be even be a GIANT BONFIRE?

SLAMmin’ Post-Homecoming Brunch

  • Date: Sunday, October 1
  • Time: 12-3 p.m.
  • Location: Student Center, Dining Room
  • Join us for a sensational experience at “Slammin’ Brunch,” the perfect way to recover from homecoming weekend in style! Groove to the beats of DJ JhasirPOW while enjoying a mouthwatering spread of brunch delights. It’s the ultimate Sunday recovery plan, where great music meets delicious food, making your weekend complete. Grab your tickets and join the brunch party!

This year’s theme: Into the Rockyverse! Check out the participate page to see how you can get involved and volunteer!

Join us on Saturday, September 30 for Homecoming Day!

Day of Events

Student and Family Breakfast

  • Open to: All Students and Their Families
  • Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Location: University Hall, Conference Center
  • Cost: Free for students, $10.00 for guests
  • Students and their families are invited to enjoy breakfast together to start off the Homecoming day celebration and hear from University leadership.

Athletics: Women’s Soccer vs. Ramapo

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Location: MSU Soccer Park

George Segal Gallery: Kids Art Corner

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: George Segal Gallery
  • Cost: Free
  • Description: Drop in for morning children’s activities exploring the current exhibition. Ages 5–10. Guardian attendance is required. Admission is free and open to the public.

George Segal Gallery: The Backend

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Location: George Segal Gallery
  • Cost: Free
  • Description: The Backend is a group exhibition that brings together artists who explore how protocols, procedures, and contracts shape our society, the ways we relate to each other, and our lived experiences. Confirmed artists include Julia Weist, TJ Shin, Liz Magic Laser, William Powhida, Maia Chao, Finnegan Shannon, and others investigating themes of debt, disability and access, funding structures, and the maze-like systems of bureaucracy.

Alumni Welcome Tent

  • Open to: All Alumni
  • Time: 12–4 p.m.
  • Location: Tent Outside Cole Hall
  • Cost: Free
  • Description: Gather with fellow alumni, sign in, check out the program for the day and pick up your alumni gift. Learn more about MONTCLAIRconnect and how you can stay connected. Don’t forget to pick up your tickets to the big game!

Please Note: Discounted football game ticket sales will be available for sale via online Homecoming registration only for on-site pickup at the Welcome Tent (not at the gates).

Campus Tours

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. / Starting Point – Cole Hall
    Cost: Free
  • Description: Admissions ambassadors will host walking tours of campus for alumni and families. First stop – Cole Hall! Walking tour campus map at the Alumni Welcome Tent.

Athletics: Field Hockey vs. Messiah

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 12 p.m.
  • Location: Sprague Field

Street Fair

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 12–4 p.m.
  • Location: Chapin Drive
  • Cost: Free Admission / Concession Stands
  • Description: Alumni, students, families and our community are invited to gather for a street fair! Enjoy music and activities including face painting, balloon art, food concessions, sweets, carnival rides, photo booths and inflatables. Schools and/or Departments will also be stationed here. There will be fun for the little ones too. Don’t miss the fire truck!

Mainstage/Student Performances

  • Open to: Everyone
    Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Location: Amphitheater
  • Cost: Free
  • Description: Enjoy featured performances, demonstrations and interactive presentations at the mainstage located at the historic amphitheater.

Mainstage Schedule of Performances

  • WMSC’s Live Music Showcase Spectacular!: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Enjoy an enchanting collection of live music performances by talented local bands, thoughtfully curated and proudly presented by the acclaimed campus radio station, WMSC FM.
  • Montclair Improv League and Friends All Stars: 1–2 p.m. A live improv show featuring both current and previous performers of M.I.L.F! Be prepared to laugh, as anything can happen when these students and alumni join forces! Please note that during Homecoming Weekend, on Friday, September 29 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 30, at 8 p.m., there will be two full length performances of M.I.L.F. All Stars in University Hall, Room 1070!
  • Players Variety Show: 2-3 p.m. Enjoy some acting, singing, dancing, and more brought to you by Players: A Programming Board of the SGA who are celebrating their 86th season!
  • Homecoming Talent Showcase: 3–4 p.m. Come see student groups perform skits based on the Homecoming theme!

Alumni BBQ

  • Open to: Alumni and their guests
  • Time: 1–4 p.m.
  • Location: Historic Quad (in front of Freeman, Russ and Chapin Halls)
  • Cost: $25.00* / Children: $15.00 / Children 2 and under free
  • Walk-in cost: $35.00*
  • Description: Join fellow graduates for the signature alumni event of the day. Enjoy a BBQ lunch, craft beer, specialty tequila, live music, games, fun for the kids and more! Celebrate school spirit as we get ready for kick off! Join us for our gathering for our alumni networking groups – Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network, Black Alumni Advisory Council, EOF and HCP Alumni Network, Tri-Alpha First Gen, Recent Alumni Network and Women’s Initiative Network.

*Includes food, drinks and a $5.00 gift to The Fund for Montclair State. Must be 21 years of age and provide photo ID to consume alcohol.

Athletics: Alumni Swimming and Diving Meet

  • Open to: Alumni swimmers, divers and their families
  • Time: 3–5 p.m.
  • Gathering: Immediately following the meet
  • Location: Panzer Pool / Lawn area outside Panzer Pool
  • Cost: Free
  • Description: Members of the current and prior teams come together for their annual reunion celebration.

Alumni/Student Tailgate

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 4–8 p.m.
  • Location: Lot 7
  • Cost: Free admission; Beer/Wine/Cider/Seltzer and Food Truck Concessions
  • Description: Enjoy beer, wine, food trucks, music, tailgate games and celebrate school spirit as we get ready for kick off and watch the game!

Red Hawk Sports Network’s “Game Day” Live Broadcast

  • Open to: Everyone
  • Time: 5–6 p.m.
  • Location: Sprague Field Endzone
  • Stop by Athletics Annex to see Montclair State University student broadcasters from the Red Hawk Sports Network as they host a live Game Day broadcast. Watch them break down the upcoming big game, interview Montclair coaches and athletes, and talk all things Red Hawk Sports. And after you see them in person, you can watch this show and the student-led broadcast of the homecoming football game on the RHSN’s YouTube channel, your home for MSU sports and an exciting partnership between the School of Communication and Media and Montclair State Athletics. Not only are the broadcasters and analysts students, but every crew position ranging from utility to cameraperson to director are filled by School of Communication and Media students.

Homecoming Football Game: Montclair State vs. TCNJ

  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Location: Sprague Field
  • Cost: $10.00 General Admission / $5.00 Alumni Discount
  • Description: Check out Game Day with the Red Hawk Sports Network and cheer the Red Hawks on to victory as they take on TCNJ at 6 p.m.
View Last Year's Homecoming 2022 Events

Monday, October 24

  • Rock N’ Roller Rink, 7-10 p.m., Student Center, Ballrooms and Red Hawk Diner (sign up for one of the three available time slots!)

Tuesday, October 25

Wednesday, October 26

Thursday, October 27

Friday, October 28

Plan Your Homecoming Day!

Check out the many activities happening throughout the day and plan your schedule!

Family Breakfast
9-10 a.m. | University Hall, 7th Floor Conference Center

  • Kick off Homecoming with the most important meal of the day – breakfast! Family members of new / current students at the University are invited for a morning welcome and breakfast sponsored by the Office of Student Belonging. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required, walk-in registration will open where space allows. We will also be accepting donations to the Red Hawk Pantry! Check out the pantry website for suggested items of donation.
  • The registration form is closed as we have reached the maximum capacity of reservations. At this time, we have filled our waiting list for this event. We hope to connect with you again in the future!

Alumni Welcome Tent
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tent Outside Cole Hall (formerly College Hall)

  • Check in for the day and pick up your program and free alumni gift (for alumni only). Gather with fellow alumni and current students, faculty and staff and enjoy complimentary refreshments. View items from the Sprague Library archives, purchase discounted Bookstore items, discounted football tickets, and learn more about MONTCLAIRconnect! Discounted football game ticket sales will be available only via online Homecoming registration or on-site at the Welcome Tent (not at the gates).

George Segal Gallery: Kids Art Corner
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | George Segal Gallery

  • Drop in for morning children’s activities exploring the current exhibition. Ages 5 – 10. Guardian attendance is required. Admission is free and open to the public.

Street Fair
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Chapin Drive

  • Free Admission / Food and Drink Concession Ticket Sales
  • All are invited to gather along Chapin Drive. Enjoy balloon art, crafts with the SGA and student organizations, fire trucks, food, sweets, carnival games, rides, and inflatables. Information tables sponsored by various campus partners and student organizations will line the walkway, providing a street fair atmosphere. Enjoy live music, as well as featured performances at the mainstage at the historic amphitheater. There will be fun for the whole family.

Campus Tours
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. / Starting Point – Alumni Welcome Tent outside Admissions Entrance of Cole Hall

  • Join Admissions ambassadors for a 45-minute walking tour of campus. Check out the exciting changes!

Fun in the Food & Nutrition Lab presented by CEHS
11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – University Hall, UN4011 (4th Floor)

Check out the state-of-the-art food science and nutrition labs in the College of Education and Human Services. Participate in a chocolate-making demo with the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, together with students of the Montclair State Dietetics Organization. See first-hand how healthy dark chocolate bark with fruit or nuts is made, collect recipes and take a sample. Space is limited, and sessions are offered at 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Alumni Barbecue and Craft Beer Tents
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Historic Quad (area outside Freeman/Russ/Chapin Halls)

  • Must be 21 and older, with photo identification, to consume alcohol.
  • Cost: $25.00 per person ($15.00 kids, under 2 free). Walk-in registration fee is $35.00 per person.
    • Pre-Registration Required. Registration includes: 3 food/2 drink tickets, and a $5.00 donation to The Fund for Montclair State.
    • Additional food/drink tickets available for purchase on site.
  • Join fellow graduates for the signature alumni event of the day. Enjoy a BBQ lunch, craft beer and hard seltzer from local breweries, specialty tequila, live music, lawn games, and more. Celebrate school spirit as we get ready for kick off!
  • Join us for our gathering for our new alumni networking groups – Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network, Black Alumni Advisory Council.
  • Don’t miss our annual gathering for the EOF and HCP Alumni Network.

Student Talent Showcase
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Amphitheater

  • Join us for the annual celebration of our student organizations as they show off their talents.

Red Hawk Sports Network’s “Game Day” Live Broadcast
12 –1 p.m. | Sprague Field Endzone

  • Stop by the Sprague Field end zone to see Montclair State student broadcasters from the Red Hawk Sports Network as they host a live Game Day broadcast. The show starts one hour before the game starts, with a halftime segment, and postgame wrap-up. Watch them break down the upcoming big game, interview Montclair State’s coaches and athletes, and talk all things Red Hawk Sports. And after you see them in person, you can watch this show and the student-led broadcast of the Homecoming football game on the RHSN’s YouTube channel, your home for MSU sports and an exciting partnership between the School of Communication and Montclair State Athletics.

Athletics: Alumni Swimming and Diving Meet and BBQ
12 p.m. | Panzer Athletic Center Pool and Outdoor Area

  • Open to: Swimming and Diving alumni and guests
  • Members of the current and prior teams come together for an Alumni vs. Varsity swimming and diving meet, followed by their annual reunion barbecue and gathering.

Homecoming Football Game: Montclair State vs. Christopher Newport
1 p.m. | Sprague Field

  • Cost: $10.00 General Admission / $5.00 Alumni Discount
  • Cheer the Red Hawks on to victory as they take on Christopher Newport. The pre-game festivities will include recognition of Sam Mills, Montclair football’s all-time greatest player being posthumously enshrined to the NFL Hall of Fame. Please note: Discounted ($5.00) football game ticket sales will be available only via online Homecoming registration or on-site at the Welcome Tent (not at the gates).

George Segal Gallery Exhibition: Nothing Under Heaven by Joseph Liatela
3 p.m. Introductory Tour / Exhibit Hours TBD | George Segal Gallery

  • In Nothing Under Heaven, Liatela correlates spaces of communal experience – churches, medical institutions, and clubs – where promises of salvation and healing commingle in proximity to loss and grief. By uniting these different spaces through a range of mediums and interdisciplinary analysis, Liatela reveals how these seemingly disparate environments hold similar contradictions that impact the way we perceive ourselves and each other.

Cali School of Music: University Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas DeMaison, Conductor
3 p.m. | Alexander Kasser Theater

  • Cost: $20.00 per ticket
  • Join conductor Nicholas DeMaison and The Symphony Orchestra as they present works from classical and contemporary repertoire.
  • Tickets Available!

Cali School of Music: University Jazz Ensemble, Oscar Perez, Director
8 p.m. | Alexander Kasser Theater

  • Cost: $20.00 per ticket
  • The Jazz Ensemble will perform a concert of classic and contemporary jazz.
  • Tickets Available!

All Day Long

  • University Bookstore: 20% off one apparel or gift item. Scan your coupon at the Alumni Welcome Tent.
  • Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center: In honor of Homecoming Weekend, the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center will offer free admission for all Montclair alumni and current students, and half-off for all adults (only $5). Be sure to come check out one of the true gems on campus. Hope to see you there!
  • Parking: Complimentary parking is available in the Red Hawk Parking Deck and all surface lots. All visitors to campus are required to complete Hawk Check.

 

Last Modified: Monday, September 25, 2023 8:13 am