UC family comes together to celebrate Homecoming

As always, the parade will be a Homecoming focal point, traveling down Clifton Avenue beginning at 10:30 a.m. This year’s edition will feature 70 parade entries with generations of onlookers and well-wishers from the UC family lining the route. The parade will highlight the 2022 Homecoming theme “Pump It Up,” reflecting the energy among all Bearcats at Homecoming. The Homecoming Parade’s grand marshals will be Head Cheerleading Coach Tabby Fagan, CAHS ’92, and The Bearcat. At the 2022 College Cheerleading and Dance National Championships at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando earlier this year, the UC cheerleading team won its second national title in Division 1A while The Bearcat won the Division 1A Mascot Competition.

While the UC–USF football game and parade are the cornerstones of Homecoming, a full slate of activities will provide students, alumni and college groups and friends with many opportunities to enjoy the occasion.

On Friday night, Oct. 7, the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association will host its annual Homecoming Kickoff Party 6-8 p.m. This year’s event will take place on Sheakley Lawn in Varsity Village just off Corry Blvd. Voice of the Bearcats Dan Hoard will emcee with special guest Bearcats Head Coach Luke Fickell, Director of Athletics John Cunningham and other UC leaders will be on hand to greet the fans! Music will be provided by JonJon from Kiss 107.1, with special appearances from the Bearcat mascot and UC cheerleaders.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, pregame festivities will occur all around campus and the surrounding neighborhood, including notably at The Grid tailgate area on Campus Green and Sigma Sigma Commons, which will open at 8:30 a.m. The football team’s traditional Catwalk to the stadium will pass through The Grid approximately two and a half hours before kickoff. UC fans are asked to wear red.

“One of UC’s greatest and best-loved traditions is gathering by the thousands for Homecoming each fall,” said Jennifer Heisey ’97, UC’s chief alumni officer. “This is an especially exciting time to be a Bearcat, and Homecoming Weekend is the perfect opportunity to celebrate together, with a full assortment of festivities for our alumni, students and friends.”