Something wicked is on the way: the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is “Calling all the Mocsters” for a week of Homecoming fun.
Starting on Saturday, Oct. 25, with the annual UTC Day of Service, numerous campus departments have prepared activities for students, alumni, faculty and staff to celebrate campus pride.
Kidron Bullock, coordinator in the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community, said the combination of Homecoming and Halloween merged two of his favorite events.
Students can look forward to Halloween-themed events throughout Homecoming Week.
“It’s my favorite holiday, so I’m really excited about this specific theme,” Bullock said. “Homecoming falling on the week of Halloween pairs really nicely. There are events that have been traditionally—throughout the years—Halloween events that other departments have done.”
The annual UTC Library Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 31, will take place during Homecoming Week, giving students, faculty and staff the chance to show off their Halloween costumes and win up to a $50 Starbucks gift card.
Another traditional Halloween event is Scrappy’s Haunted Trail, partnered with the Student Government Association. The spooky adventure will take participants through Oak Street on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Homecoming favorites will also be returning.
Lip Sync is the biggest event of Homecoming Week, according to Bullock. This year’s theme is “Lip Sync of the Living Dead” and will take place at McKenzie Arena on Thursday, Oct. 30.
“It’s a good time for everyone to see our student organizations and student groups put on a show that they work really hard on,” he said. “It’s just a fun time just to celebrate our students.”
For students looking forward to seeing University athletics, the Boo and Gold Basketball Preseason Spooktacular takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at McKenzie Arena.
The following day (Wednesday, Oct. 29), UTC athletics will host Mocs Field Games on Chamberlain Field, where students can compete in a variety of events—including obstacle courses, potato sack races and dodgeball.
Leading into the weekend, the Downtown Pep Rally on Friday, Oct. 31, at Miller Park will give students and alums the opportunity to showcase their school spirit before the Homecoming game against Western Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Finley Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
Bullock said that there are many events for students to participate in and find their place.
“It’s a big fun week to look forward to because there’s always bound to be something to do, no matter what your interests are, which is my favorite thing to see,” he said.
Bullock urged students to find what works for them and get out into the UTC community.
“Look at the calendar, find something, and pick at least one thing to join,” he said. “You don’t have to attend every single event, although we would love to have you at all of them.
“I encourage students to get out of the classroom, out of their residence halls, grab their roommates, grab a friend, meet some new people, and really just encourage people to come together to celebrate UTC while also celebrating Halloween.”
Calendar of events
Saturday, Oct. 25
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Day of Service, Lupton Hall First Floor
Sunday, Oct. 26
- 1-5 p.m., Paint the Town Dread: Student Organization Banner Painting, Vine Street
Monday, Oct. 27
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Swag-O-Ween Tabling, Vine Street/Library Courtyard
- 5-8 p.m., MOCster Mash Block Party, Chamberlain Field
Tuesday, Oct. 28
- 1-4 p.m., Monster Munchies, Vine Street
- 5-7 p.m., 2nd Annual Nursing Fall Festival, 518 Oak Street
- 5:30-7:30 p.m., Boo and Gold Basketball Preseason Spooktacular, McKenzie Arena
Wednesday, Oct. 29
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Mocs Field Games, Chamberlain Field
- 7-10 p.m., Scrappy’s Haunted Trail, Oak Street
Thursday, Oct. 30
- 4-6 p.m., Scare-aoke, Chamberlain Field
- 6-8 p.m., UTC Alumni GOLD Tap Party, Southside Social
- 8-10 p.m., Lip Sync of the Living Dead, McKenzie Arena
Friday, Oct. 31
- 10:30-11:30 a.m., Faculty and Staff Halloween Edition Mocs Games, Chamberlain Field
- Noon-1 p.m., Downtown Pep Rally, Miller Park
- 1-3 p.m., UTC Library Halloween Party, Chamberlain Field
Saturday, Nov. 1
- 1:30-3:30 p.m., Student Gameday Experience, First Horizon Pavilion
- 1:30-3:45 p.m., Alumni Tailgate, First Horizon Pavilion
- 4 p.m. kickoff, UTC vs. Western Carolina, Finley Stadium
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