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Worcester State will celebrate with three days of Homecoming and family events

Worcester State University will celebrate Homecoming and Family weekend Sept. 22–24 with a variety of events, including wellness and team-building activities, celebrations of the university’s athletes and multicultural programming, games, and the first Family Day since 2019.

Homecoming festivities start on Thursday, Sept. 22 with an afternoon of team challenges sponsored by the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. Grit ‘N Wit [1] brings their team-building obstacle course to the Worcester State campus from 3 to 7 p.m. Courses are designed to challenge participants physically and mentally and most of the activities will be accessible for people with disabilities, so everyone gets a chance to play. Those interested in participating should register ahead of time [2].

On Friday, Sept. 23, Worcester State Athletics takes the spotlight. The inaugural George H Albro ’65 Memorial Golf Tournament [3] kicks off at 8 a.m. to raise funds for the university’s athletic teams. At 5 p.m., the 30th Lancer Athletics Hall of Fame Induction [4] honors seven alumni who made significant contributions to their teams as well as the 1971–1972 Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Family Day starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 with brunch at the Sheehan Dining Hall (until 11:30) and outdoor games on the Wasylean patio (until noon). Starting at 10:30, enjoy donuts and hot cider while painting a pumpkin in the Student Center Food Court or play a board game in the living room or make fall crafts in the exhibition area while supplies last. At 11:15 President Maloney will be in the Sheehan Hall Multipurpose Room to meet with visitors, and at 12:30, enjoy a fun-filled game of bingo with your family and win prizes. Other activities throughout the day include baby farm animals outside the Student Center and a Family Fun Fair with vendors, giveaways, food, and many more activities in the Student Center parking lot from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 also sees five games occurring across campus. The women’s basketball alumni game [5] takes place in the Wellness Center’s Competition Gym at 10 a.m., followed by the men’s basketball alumni game [6] at 11:30 a.m. The Worcester State women’s soccer team plays Fitchburg State on Coughlin Field at 11 a.m. Also at 11, the women’s softball alumni game [7] takes place on the Ralph Raymond Diamond.

The Homecoming football game sees the Worcester State men’s team meet UMass Dartmouth at 2:30 p.m. on Coughlin Field. Leading up to the game, all families are invited to attend the Homecoming Experience with lawn games, a food truck from Morawski Barbecue, family-fun activities, a Multicultural Tent Experience with vendors, a beer/wine garden, and more.

“We are excited to welcome current students, alumni, and their families,” said Tara Hancock, executive director of alumni relations and engagement. “We’re looking forward to a fun-filled weekend.”

The day closes with a 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Office of Multicultural Affairs [8] at 5:30 p.m. in the Wellness Center. This semi-formal gala celebrates the work of the office and the ALANA/BIPOC students it serves.

No tailgating or outside alcohol is permitted during Homecoming events. Learn more. [9]