University of Tampa to Celebrate Homecoming 2018 Oct. 18–20

While the palms on campus are still swaying in the warm sea breezes, other signs signal the start of fall in Tampa: pumpkins on front porches, less humidity in the air and The University of Tampa’s annual homecoming.

From Oct. 18–20, the University will welcome back alumni with a full lineup of events, open to all members of the UT community.

Festivities begin on Friday, Oct. 19, with a President’s Reception at 6 p.m. on the East Verandah of Plant Hall, which includes complimentary cocktails and appetizers. Later that night, the Rathskellar will reopen as a bar for one night only at 8 p.m., offering complimentary beer, wine and snacks with RSVP. Also at 8 p.m. will be a special screening of the film Coraline in Falk Theatre followed by a Q-and-A with one of the film’s animators, Brad Schiff ’93.

Events on Saturday, Oct. 20, will kick off with the Livefor24 5K/1-Mile Fun Run through campus beginning at 8 a.m., followed by a family friendly post-race event at Pepin Stadium. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships to UT through the Livefor24 Foundation, formed in memory of Melissa Vanderhall ’10.

Also on Saturday, the class of 1968 will be inducted into the Golden Spartans Society, which includes alumni who Graduated 50 or more years ago, at the Golden Spartans Induction Lunch, and the class of 1993 will be honored for their 25th reunion at the inaugural Silver Spartans Brunch for alumni who graduated 25–49 years ago.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, the University will host the Spartan Street Festival in the center of campus, featuring carnival rides, games and food. This event is open to all UT alumni, students, faculty and staff.

For students, festivities begin on Wednesday, Oct. 17, with a Field Day in Plant Park from 8–10 p.m. In addition to the Spartan Street Festival on Saturday, student events include a Casino Night at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Vaughn Center Lobby; a ’50s-themed movie night with a screening of Grease at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in the Vaughn Center Lobby; and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen at the women’s soccer game at Pepin Stadium on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m.

For a complete schedule of alumni homecoming events, go to alumni.ut.edu/?HC, or contact Jay Hardwick at jhardwick@ut.edu or (813) 253-6209. For more information on student homecoming events, contact UT Student Productions at studentproductions@ut.edu.

As part of homecoming week, the UT Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 will be inducted at a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 18. This invitation-only event is scheduled for 6–8 p.m. in the Vaughn Center.