September 29, 2016

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MILWAUKEE — Marquette University will host a weeklong series of events for the return of Homecoming, with signature events taking place Oct. 4 – 8. The theme for this year's celebration is "Reigniting Tradition."

The tradition first dates back to the 1920s, but Homecoming has not taken place on the Marquette campus for several decades. The idea to re-launch Homecoming came from a group of Marquette students. More than 30,000 Marquette alumni live in southeast Wisconsin.

"We have such an incredibly passionate Marquette community, including 110,000 alumni across the world. Homecoming offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate our Marquette roots," President Michael R. Lovell said.

Homecoming events

Tuesday, Oct. 4: "Stuff the Truck" food drive from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Westowne Square. The goal of the event, which is a collaboration with the Hunger Task Force, Campus Kitchens Project and Sodexo, is to collect 1,200 pounds of food.

President Michael R. Lovell will be available from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6: Students, alumni, faculty and staff will take part in a "Marquette's Got Talent" competition, which starts at 8 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre, 1326 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Friday, Oct. 7: Block party outside the Al McGuire Center, 770 N. 12th St., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• 6 a.m. — Students will be available outside the Al McGuire Center to demonstrate "Bed Races" for morning newscasts.
• 3 p.m. — Teams will race in the actual "Bed Races" competition to kick off the block party.
• 4:30 p.m. — Hundreds of students, alumni, faculty and staff will take part in a Knockout Basketball competition.
• 7 p.m. — The men's and women's basketball season officially kicks off with Marquette Madness.

Saturday, Oct. 8, Marquette will hold two major events:

• 11:30 a.m. — "Blue and Gold Color 5K" run/walk at Miller Park. Proceeds from this event will support Marquette's Midnight Run, a volunteer service program focused on the particular needs of the hungry and homeless people living in the community around Marquette.

President Michael R. Lovell will be available before the start of the race.

• 7 p.m., — Headliners Rachel Platten and American Authors will perform a private on-campus Homecoming 2016 concert in Central Mall, 1450 W. Wisconsin Ave. Platten is known for hit songs Fight Song and Stand by You, and has performed on the NBC Today Show, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and at Milwaukee's Summerfest. The concert will open with American Authors, known for hit songs Best Day of My Life and What We Live For.

The private concert is free and open to Marquette students, alumni, faculty and staff. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9 — A special Homecoming Mass will close out the celebration at the Church of the Gesu at 6 p.m.

Find a list of all of the events at marquette.edu/homecoming. Lead sponsor Pepsi and several additional sponsors are contributing to the weeklong series of events.