KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney is going all in for this year’s homecoming festivities.
“Louie’s High-Stakes Homecoming” is the theme for the weeklong celebration, with a full slate of activities bringing students, alumni and community members together for some Loper fun.
Events get underway Monday with a 5:15 p.m. pep rally on the campus greens near the Bell Tower, where finalists for UNK homecoming royalty will be announced.
Students will compete throughout the week in homecoming activities, including a costume contest and movie night, adventure race and game show night before taking the stage for one of the celebration’s signature events.
The annual lipsync competition begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Health and Sports Center, with student groups performing choreographed routines tied to the casino theme. UNK’s homecoming king and queen will be crowned immediately after the competition.
For those who can’t attend in person, a livestream of the Thursday evening events will be available at unk.edu/watch.
The high-stakes theme continues Friday with Casino Night at the Nebraskan Student Union. Hosted by Loper Programming and Activities Council and the Student Engagement and Leadership Office, the 4 p.m. event will feature casino games in the union atrium. Homecoming teams will compete as part of the weeklong competition, while other UNK students, faculty and staff are invited to join the fun.
Friday’s schedule also features several alumni and community events, beginning with the Loper Gridiron Club Golf Tournament at 11 a.m. at Kearney Country Club.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. in the Regional Engagement Center’s Gala Room, followed by the Chemistry Department’s Dr. Don Fox Lecture at 2:30 p.m. in Copeland Hall, Room 131; One Room, One Teacher Induction Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. in the College of Education atrium; and UNK Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at 5:30 p.m. in the Regional Engagement Center’s Gala Room.
Saturday’s festivities start at 10 a.m. with the annual homecoming parade in downtown Kearney. Floats designed by UNK student organizations, local businesses and campus and community groups will be featured, along with Loper student-athletes, the cheer and dance teams, homecoming royalty and Pride of the Plains Marching Band.
The parade route starts at the intersection of 24th Street and Central Avenue and progresses south on Central Avenue, west on Railroad Street, north on Third Avenue, west on 21st Street, south on Eighth Avenue and west on 20th Street before ending at Ninth Avenue near Pioneer Park.
Loper fans can head to Cope Stadium afterward for the Alumni Tailgate at noon, followed by UNK’s homecoming football game against Pittsburg State at 2 p.m.
There are plenty of other opportunities to cheer on the Lopers throughout the week.
The seventh-ranked UNK volleyball team hosts Arkansas-Fort Smith at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Northeastern State at 6 p.m. Friday at the Health and Sports Center. Loper softball faces Barton County Community College at 4 p.m. Friday at Dryden Park, and UNK swimming hosts its alumni meet Friday and Saturday at Kearney High School.
Homecoming weekend concludes with the ROTC Alumni Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at Younes Conference Center South.
