The women’s tennis and men’s baseball teams take center stage during Homecoming, set for the week of March 19 to 24.
“Our goal is to create an event that engages students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff, and shows off all that is great about our campus,” said Greg Cooper, athletic director, who led planning efforts. “Doing Homecoming in the spring is unique, as most schools center it around a football game in the fall. We don’t have football, but we do have an amazing venue in Kokomo Municipal Stadium, which allows us to do something schools of similar size cannot do.”
During the week leading up to Homecoming, students will participate in teams, vying for the Cougar Cup in activities such as a banner competition, social media competition, spirit days, and Capture the Flag.
“Competing for the Cougar Cup is something that will create lasting memories for our students, and be an opportunity for them to look back fondly on their experience 20 years from now,” said Cooper. “We hope that leads them to become involved with the alumni events on the weekend, so they stay engaged with the campus after graduating.”
Warm up for the weekend’s games with a 1 p.m. Tuesday (March 20) baseball game against IU South Bend. Admission to all games is free with an IU Crimson Card, and for those 12 and younger. For all others, tickets are $5 each, and are sold at the gate.
Friday (March 23) features a full array of Cougar fun, with both the tennis and baseball teams taking on River States Conference foes IU Southeast.
Women’s tennis kicks off events, with a 4 p.m. match in Foster Park, with free admission. Following the match, fans can head over to Kokomo Municipal Stadium for a 6 p.m. baseball game. Admission is free with an IU Crimson Card, and for children ages 12 and younger. General admission is $5 at the gate.
Alumni are invited to a 5:30 p.m. tailgate starting at 5:30 p.m. in the stadium suites. Those attending must be 21 or older, and RSVP to alumni@iuk.edu to enjoy free admission, food, drinks, and a chance to win Cougar swag.
“The game and tailgate are a great opportunity to build relationships with our alumni, help them connect with their fellow alumni, and show them how their campus is changing for the better,” Cooper said.
Homecoming festivities continue bright and early Saturday (March 24) morning, starting with a 5K run/walk beginning on campus at 8:30 a.m. The route travels from IU Kokomo to Foster Park, home of the women’s tennis team, with bus transportation provided back to campus. All participants receive a free T-shirt, which gets them into the Saturday’s baseball double header free.
Registration is $30 in advance, or $40 the day of the race. Register at IU Kokomo Homecoming 5K
While the first pitch for the double header is at noon, fans are encouraged to come at 11 a.m., with the first 200 through the gates qualifying for a free tailgate, with chili, hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, hot cider, and soda.
For more information, go to iuk.edu/homecoming
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.