Alumni set to return for UC Homecoming

The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association’s annual Homecoming celebration will take place on the Uptown Campus with an exhibition men’s basketball game between UC and Ohio State in Fifth Third Arena on Friday, Oct. 18 and a variety of events surrounding the traditional Homecoming Parade and football game on Saturday, Oct. 19. And new this year, the reach extends to Over-the-Rhine where the UC Alumni Mural, located at 1430 Vine St., will be part of the collection of immersive art experiences that make up the 2024 edition of BLINK, the nation’s largest public light and art event.

The UC Alumni Mural was commissioned by the UC Alumni Association to salute the 18 alumni who were honored at the UC Alumni Celebration duirng Alumni Week last April. Their achievements and impact are representative of the vast contributions made throughout the UC alumni family. The mural’s addition to BLINK’s 35-city-block map of 80+ light, mural and projection mapping displays provides the opportunity to showcase UC alumni to the enormous BLINK audience. We'll shine a light on alumni success Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 17-20, from 7 to 11 p.m. each night.

Beyond the parade, pregame festivities will occur on and around campus. The Grid tailgate area on Sigma Sigma Commons will open at 8 a.m., with the football team’s traditional Catwalk to the stadium passing through The Grid at approximately 9:30 a.m. 

While the football game and parade are the cornerstones of Homecoming, a number of related activities create a robust Homecoming schedule for alumni, students and members of the community. (See below.)

“I'm always thrilled to welcome our alumni home. Tens of thousands of lifelong Bearcats will make the trip, drawn back to the campus and community they hold so dear,” said UC chief alumni officer Jennifer Heisey. “I hope you're among the many who return to UC to be a part of the Homecoming festivities.”

A list of Homecoming Week events is available on the UC Homecoming website. The schedule includes activities staged by the UC Alumni Association, college and special interest alumni networks, student groups and UC Athletics. Highlights include:

UC Alumni Mural at BLINK
7-11 p.m., 1430 Vine St. (OTR Zone)

UC4A Greek Alumni Basketball Tournament
6-9 p.m., Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy

UC Baseball Golf Outing
10 a.m., Pebble Creek Golf Course

State of Black UC Forum
12-2:30 p.m., African American Cultural & Resource Center

Cincinnati vs. Ohio State Exhibition Men’s Basketball Game
7 p.m., Fifth Third Arena

College of Nursing Dean’s Circle Reception
4-5:30 p.m., College of Nursing – Procter Hall

UC Alumni Band Reunion
6-11 p.m., The Taproom on Ludlow

Homecoming Parade
8 a.m., Parade travels down Clifton Avenue from Calhoun Street to Probasco Street

Golden Bearcat Society Homecoming Parade Grandstand
7 a.m., Clifton Court Hall Patio

Spirit Programs Alumni Reunion
7 a.m., Calhoun Street

Bearcats on The Grid
8 a.m., Sigma Sigma Commons

College of Engineering and Applied Science Homecoming Celebration
9 a.m., Schneider Quad

Double A Alumni Tailgate
12-8 p.m., Short Vine

Football Team’s CATWALK
Approximately 9:30 a.m., starting in Campus Green and traveling through The Grid and Sigma Sigma Commons

Cincinnati vs. Arizona State Homecoming Game
Noon, Nippert Stadium

Presentation of Homecoming Court
Halftime, Nippert Stadium

UC Baseball Open Scrimmage
4 p.m., UC Baseball Stadium

Plan ahead and see parade route and street closures.

Homecoming is presented by the UC Alumni Association and sponsored by Ohio’s 529 College Advantage, Skyline Chili, Prestige AV & Creative Services and U Square.

Featured image at the top: Historic Nippert Stadium on gameday. Photo/provided.