October Homecoming events to bring alumni back to Oswego

The Oswego-area community is invited to join the college community for its 2017 Homecoming celebration, featuring a new campus-community tailgate, on Saturday, Oct. 14.

"For me, Homecoming is a great reason to come back to Oswego and reconnect with friends, professors, staff and administration," said 2015 graduate Tucker Sholtes, a member of the SUNY Oswego Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) Leadership Council. "I have attended ever since its return, and I do not envision that stopping any time soon!"

SUNY Oswego reinstituted its Homecoming tradition in 2015 after a 40-plus-year hiatus, seeking to draw GOLD alumni like Sholtes as well as those from across all generations back to reconnect with their alma mater and current students.

"Since relaunching Homecoming, we have welcomed hundreds of alumni and friends back to campus to celebrate their Oswego pride with our current students, faculty and staff," said Laura Pavlus Kelly, director of alumni and parent relations and a 2009 alumna. "This year, we’ve moved our festivities earlier in the semester and are focusing on one primary event -- the Homecoming Tailgate. We welcome the entire Oswego community, campus and city, to join us for a fun day filled with Laker spirit!"

The Campus-Community Homecoming Tailgate will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 in Lot EC-7 at the corner of Route 104 and Barnes Drive (near Romney Fieldhouse).

Reserving a spot for tailgating is free, but needs to be done in advance, and attendees should adhere to tailgating rules and regulations; visit alumni.oswego.edu/homecoming to register or for more information.

Tailgaters are invited to bring their favorite lawn games to play and head over to watch the men's soccer game against SUNY Geneseo at the adjacent Laker Turf Stadium at 1 p.m. The men's club baseball and women's club softball teams will have games on the intramural fields as well.

Tailgaters and attendees will be able to enjoy food trucks. Musical entertainment will be provided.

Attendees who do not wish to tailgate can park in Lot EC-5 (south of Laker Hall) and can walk to Lot EC-7 to enjoy the food trucks and free entertainment.

In the evening, the college will induct seven exceptional alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2017 inductees are:

* Ron Benwell, class of 1961 (posthumously), soccer/baseball

* Brian DeFeo, class of 1998, hockey

* Tracey Donovan Fanning, class of 1992 - cross country

* Dennis Luzon, class of 1974, wrestling

* Tom Lynch, class of 1973, golf

* Ed Nicholson, class of 1959, wrestling

* Steve Serling, class of 1977, golf

Everyone is invited to cheer on these honorees during a dinner and ceremony at 5 p.m. in Sheldon Hall ballroom, although advance registration is required and can be completed online at alumni.oswego.edu/halloffame.

In addition to the tailgate and Athletic Hall of Fame induction, Homecoming will include two events with separate registration required: The Great Pumpkin Run at 1:30 on campus, and an All-GOLD Gathering at 5 p.m. at nearby Cheap Seats.

Spirit Week on campus will precede Homecoming, with Friday, Oct. 13, events to include the popular Green and Gold Day, with a college-wide photo scheduled for 11:15 a.m. outside Marano Campus Center. In the afternoon, members of the Future Alumni Network will host "Class Cab," playing off of the popular TV show, "Cash Cab." Students will get a ride in a golf buggy while being asked questions about campus traditions and college history by campus celebrity judges. Those who answer the questions correctly receive prizes.

For information on Homecoming events, visit alumni.oswego.edu/homecoming.