"Thy Loyal Children We Will Be"

Words so fitting from UC’s alma mater as the university celebrates our annual Homecoming. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff look forward to celebrating the first in-person Homecoming since the onset of COVID-19.

It is only appropriate to carry this year’s theme of “Thy Loyal Children” with pride on as our top five nationally ranked Bearcats take on the Golden Hurricanes from Tulsa on November 6. words so fitting from UC’s alma mater as the university celebrates our annual Homecoming. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff look forward to celebrating the first in-person Homecoming since the onset of COVID-19.

Jen Heisey, the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association’s Vice President of Alumni and Donor Experience, enlightens, "It’s a cherished tradition for the UC family to come together at Homecoming, and we are very excited to host the 2021 edition and welcome Bearcats back to campus, Our alumni are ‘thy loyal children’ that our beautiful Alma Mater refers to, and that treasured relationship is never more evident than during Homecoming Weekend.”

Festivities will kick off on Monday, November 1 and will continue throughout the week, filled with class reunions, tailgates, and seminars, ending on Sunday, November 7^th. For a list of the week-long events in detail, visit the Homecoming website.

Friday, November 5 officially brings the Bearcat Pride into full swing, as the African American Alumni Affiliate (4A) hosts the State of Black UC Forum from 12 to2 p.m. at the African American Cultural Resource Center (AACRC). This year’s event is sure to hold special meaning as the AACRC celebrates 30 years as a “home away from home” for Black students who study at UC from across the globe.

This family-friendly pep rally featuring Head Football Coach Luke Fickell and Athletic Director John Cunningham, emceed by Dan Hoard.  THis annual celebration includes food, drink, and Bearcat swag, with live music by The Touchables and special guests throughout the evening. The first 200 pre-registrants to check-in will receive a special UC Homecoming gift bag with the official UC Homecoming shirt. Visit the Homecoming website to register for the Kickoff Party.

The Homecoming Parade will officially launch immediately following ESPN College GameDay at noon. With UC alumnus Jeff Wyler, Bus ’65, Hon ’11, the UC Alumni Association’s 2020-21 William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement honoree, as Grand Marshal it’s sure to be a parade to remember.  Senna Adachi, this year’s Homecoming Chair from the Student Alumni Council (SAC), shares, “This year’s Homecoming Parade is the perfect welcome back for alumni, students, and Bearcats of all ages after the past 18 months of social distancing.  

There are a variety of parade entrants ready to transform Clifton Avenue into a celebration of UC history and Bearcat pride.” The official parade commences four hours before kickoff at 11:30 am, and will travel down Clifton Avenue with generations of Bearcats lining the parade route.

The Bearcats will play the Golden Hurricanes in the Historic Nippert Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 pm. Wear red for this nationally televised event in support of our Bearcats.

The Bearcat Band’s halftime performance will feature the crowning of Homecoming King and Queen. Candidates of this year’s Homecoming Court are a great example of the diverse student body at the University of Cincinnati, representing 13 majors across 6 different colleges.

The University of Cincinnati looks forward to welcoming Bearcats of all ages back to campus from November 1 thought 7 as we join together in celebrating together as “Thy Loyal Children”. 

Story written by Megan Peck, a third-year Marketing and Operations Management major, with a minor in Fashion Studies