MARSHALL, Minn. — Southwest Minnesota State University will celebrate Homecoming 2026 from September 28 through October 4. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Mustangs are Stronger Together.”
Homecoming activities get underway Monday, September 28, with Pajama Day on campus. The day also features a Donut Drop from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the BA Plaza, outside the Whipple Gallery and Dean’s Office.
Tuesday is Throwback Tuesday, followed by Mustang volleyball against Wayne State at 6 p.m. in the PE Gym. The match will also serve as Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
Wednesday will be Wacky Wednesday, along with the fifth annual Mustangs Give Day of Service. Students, faculty, staff and alumni will spend the day volunteering on local projects. Activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with check-in at Founders Hall beginning at 9:30 a.m. Projects can include activities such as park cleanup and outdoor painting.
Thursday’s theme is Dress Your Best, with several major Homecoming events scheduled.
The inauguration of SMSU President David Jones will take place at 3 p.m. Due to recent rain, the event has been moved from the Central Courtyard to the PE Gym. The university says the public is invited to attend, with a reception following the ceremony.
Student voting for Homecoming royalty closes at 5 p.m., followed by the Coronation and Social at 6:30 p.m. The location for the social is still to be announced.
Friday is Spirit Day and includes the State of the University Address at 10 a.m. in the Upper Conference Center.
SMSU women’s soccer will host Northern State University at 3 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
A Social Work Reunion Meetup will take place at 4 p.m. at Tavern 507, followed by The Southwest Celebration from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Upper Conference Center. The event will recognize Alumni Award recipients, highlight projects underway on campus and officially begin the Homecoming weekend celebration.
Friday night will also feature the SMSU Planetarium’s “Laser Rock” light show at 7:30 p.m., featuring music from artists including Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Rush.
Homecoming Saturday
Saturday, October 3, will feature a full schedule of activities beginning in the morning.
The Homecoming 5K and 10K Race begins at 8 a.m. at the Track and Field Complex, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by the SMSU Veterans Center.
At 9 a.m., Saturday Morning Mustang will broadcast live from Varsity Pub Extra Innings. Ryan Rohlik and SMSU Assistant Athletic Director of Communications Kelly Loft will discuss Mustang Athletics, including updates, stories and interviews with SMSU coaches.
The SMSU Women’s Swim and Dive Alumni Meet begins at 10 a.m. at the Dan Palm Natatorium.
Several class reunions will also take place Saturday. Alumni from the classes of 1976, 2001, 2016 and 2021 will gather from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in the Upper Student Center before joining the parade. A separate Social Work Reunion will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Social Work program at SMSU.
Parade participants will check in at 11 a.m. in the North B Parking Lot.
The SMSU Homecoming Parade begins at noon. The parade will start on State Street, continue along Wefald Drive and Birch Street, and proceed to the Schwan Regional Event Center via Mustang Trail.
Following the parade, Game Day Roundup will run from 1 to 3 p.m. in the R/A Facility parking lot and along Mustang Trail. The event will include inflatables, food trucks, music, tailgating and other activities leading up to the football game.
The SMSU Planetarium will also host its “Welcome to the Universe” Star Show from 1 to 2 p.m. The program includes a tour of the night sky followed by a journey from Earth into the far reaches of the universe.
Alumni will have an opportunity to take part in a campus tour beginning at 1:30 p.m. The tour will meet in the Founders Hall lobby and conclude at the Schwan Regional Event Center, highlighting campus updates, familiar landmarks and memories from SMSU’s past.
The centerpiece of Saturday’s Homecoming activities will be SMSU football against the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
Fans can take part in the Game Day Roundup before heading into the stadium for the Homecoming matchup.
Saturday’s activities will continue into the evening with a free concert featuring Junk FM at 7 p.m. on 3rd Street in downtown Marshall. Organizers encourage alumni and community members to continue the Homecoming celebration downtown following the football game.
Homecoming activities conclude Sunday, October 4.
A special breakfast gathering will be held in the Southwest Main Dining Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meal will feature an all-you-care-to-eat format with a salad bar, made-to-order omelets and breakfast favorites, burgers and chicken sandwiches, pizza, stir-fry, pasta, rice, desserts and beverages.
The final athletic event of Homecoming weekend will be SMSU women’s soccer against the University of Jamestown at 1 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
