Red Hawks Flock to Homecoming 2019

Montclair State University welcomed thousands of students, alumni, families and friends to campus on Saturday, October 19 to join in the activities and events celebrating Homecoming 2019.

With a carnival, campus tours, athletic and arts events, food, games, entertainment and activities for all ages taking place around campus throughout the day, there was plenty to do and see for everyone who joined in the fun.

This year, Homecoming featured the Campus Carnival along the University Promenade, where attendees enjoyed activities such as face painting, balloon art, food, sweets, carnival rides, photo booths and inflatables. There was plenty to keep the little ones happy too. The Kiddie Zone provided carnival activities, a petting zoo and pony rides, as well as the chance for children to explore a fire truck and an EMT truck.

The Mainstage events took place at the Amphitheater with a performance by the Montclair State University Pep Band and music provided by a DJ followed by the ever-popular Student Showcase, where members of student organizations showed off their talents with skits and dance routines around the theme, “Through the Decades.”

The College of Education and Human Services once again opened its doors to invite guests to tour its state-of-the-art food, food science and nutrition laboratories and attend a student demonstration and tasting of handcrafted chocolates with its “Fun in the Food and Nutrition Labs” event.

Over at the School of Nursing, guests had the opportunity to learn about the School and its new initiative, which provides training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and bleeding control techniques. Members of the School demonstrated how to quickly control bleeding and perform CPR.

A highlight of the day was the signature alumni event: the first-ever Alumni BBQ featuring a BBQ lunch, craft beer, wine, music, games, fun for the kids and more. In addition, alumni had the opportunity to chat with University leadership and hear updates on Montclair State’s recent accomplishments and plans for the future.

In what many consider the main event, the Homecoming football game, the Red Hawks defeated the Captains of Christopher Newport University 24-0 in front of enthusiastic fans at Sprague Field. The half-time festivities included encore performances by the winning Student Showcase teams and recognition of the Hall of Fame alumni.

Other Homecoming athletic events included the annual Alumni Swimming and Diving Meet at the Panzer Athletic Center Pool, and two evening contests with the field hockey team taking on The College of New Jersey at Sprague Field and men’s soccer facing off against Stockton University at the MSU Soccer Park.

As the perfect vantage point to view both contests, the top level of the Red Hawk Parking Deck served as the venue for the tailgate party. Guests could watch both games from above while enjoying food, beer and wine concessions with friends, family and fellow alumni.

The arts were also on full display at Homecoming. The George Segal Gallery opened its doors for guests the view its exhibit, “Confluence: Tradition in Contemporary Art;” Memorial Auditorium featured two performances of the hit musical comedy Urinetown by students in the Department of Theatre and Dance; and Peak Performances presented Lena Herzog’s Last Whispers at the Kasser Theater.

Homecoming 2019 was a resounding success and proved the perfect occasion for everyone to reunite with friends, enjoy great entertainment and fun, reacquaint themselves with the campus and show their Red Hawk pride!