Blue Devil alums, families and supporters will march onto campus Thursday, Oct. 24, to Saturday, Oct. 26, to celebrate homecoming at UW-Stout.
While traditional highlights for many will be the annual downtown parade and football game on Saturday, the community is also invited to an open house to experience the university’s polytechnic advantage.
Blue Devils and the area community can also cool off with a Culver’s Custard Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 25, at the Menomonie Culver’s. Purchase a dish of Blue Devil Food Cake, and 10% of the sale will go to the UW-Stout Student Emergency Fund.
All events are open to the public. Many are free, but some require tickets or have limited space. Registration is open on the homecoming site.
Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday
Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All ages are welcome.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and S. Broadway Street. The route goes through downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue. Watch the parade livestream on YouTube.
A Community Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will offer a variety of tours, exhibits and demonstrations in the science and engineering labs, Fab Lab, and an Art and Culture Walk in Furlong Gallery, with interactive art stations available for kids.
Athletics and recreation events
University Recreation’s annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 24, beginning at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.
Cheer on Blue Devil teams at three games over the weekend. Alumni, community members and students are all invited. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.
- Hockey vs. Saint Mary’s University: 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, Fanetti Community Center, 620 17th St. SE, Menomonie.
- Football vs. UW-Eau Claire: 1 p.m. on Oct. 26, at Williams Stadium.
- Women’s Soccer vs. UW-Whitewater: 2 p.m. on Oct. 26, at Nelson Field.
Athletics Hall of Fame inductees introduced at halftime at the football game will be Naomi De Lara, gymnastics (2008-11); Daniel Drewek, track and field (2008-12); Derek Hanson, hockey (2006-10); Patrick Mengelkoch, football (2007-10); Tim Nelson, track and field, cross country (2008-12); Erin O’Connell Anderson, softball (2002-05); John Miller, swimming, track and field coach (1982-89); and Layne Pitt, sports information director (1994-2022). A banquet will begin at 5 p.m. that evening in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. Tickets are available online.
Alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned.
An Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. The Alumni Association will recognize four outstanding alumni and an alumni-owned and operated business:
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Lora Benrud (’87), WESTconsin Credit Union chief executive officer, retired
- Trailblazer Alumni Award: Mara Dietrich (’16), founder of Mara Marie Bridal
- Luminary Alumni Award: Wade Lambrigtsen (’00), owner and proprietor of Vintage Sign Shop
- Chancellor’s Alumni Award: Bill Flesch (’81), Gordon Flesch Company Inc. chief development officer and treasurer
- University Partnership Alumni Award: EVCO Plastics, under the leadership of CEO and Chairman Dale Evans (’73)
On Oct. 26, Breakfast at the Buck features a free breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.
‘Stoutlantis’ themed events for students
Blue Devil Productions is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year’s theme of “Stoutlantis.”
Students will kick off the week on Monday, Oct. 21, with a Culver’s Custard Social, followed by the annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars. The race is set for 4 p.m., on the corner of Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.
Students can attend Glow in the Dark Bingo; and Transcendence Cabaret, an alumnus-founded and produced troupe of performers that invites students to experience an underwater-themed drag show; join in a Chalking Competition; and celebrate at the homecoming dance.
Weeklong events include a banner competition, a medallion hunt, and a food drive to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.
