{
    "title": "UCO to Celebrate \u2018Once Upon a Homecoming,\u2019 Sept. 19-26",
    "modified_at": "2026-09-29 16:20:13",
    "published_at": "2026-09-17 15:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-to-celebrate-once-upon-a-homecoming-sept-19-26",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/gFOd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Sept. 17, 2026",
    "slug": "uco-to-celebrate-once-upon-a-homecoming-sept-19-26",
    "body": "<p>The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate the 109th Homecoming with a week of activities, Sept. 20-26.</p><p>This year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Once Upon a Homecoming,&rdquo; celebrates the rich history of Homecoming stories, bringing together UCO students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community to commemorate the university</p><p>&ldquo;Homecoming is a time when we celebrate what makes Central special, including the traditions that connect generations of Bronchos and the people who continue to shape our Broncho community,&rdquo; said Chloe Clinton, coordinator of Student Engagement. \u200b </p><p>&ldquo;This year&rsquo;s &lsquo;Once Upon a Homecoming&rsquo; theme invites everyone to come together, create new memories and celebrate the stories that make UCO home.&rdquo; </p><p>The week of events will culminate Saturday, Sept. 26, with the Homecoming Festival, tailgating and the Broncho Football game. </p><p>The festival begins at 3 p.m. on the west side of Chad Richison Stadium, in Parking Lot 47. The festival will feature free activities for children, face painting, inflatables, food trucks and more.</p><p>The Alumni Engagement Tailgate will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 47, with spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. </p><p>The Bronchos will take on Northwest Missouri at 7 p.m. in the annual Homecoming Football game at Chad Richison Stadium.</p><p>Additional activities include:</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Central 5K</strong>, 8 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, Business building: UCO faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to walk or run in the Central 5K. Entry for UCO students is free, children 12 and under are $10 and all others are $15. Register at <a href=\"https://go.uco.edu/Central5K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go.uco.edu/Central5K</a>.</span></li><li><span><strong>Broncho Legacy Reunion Brunch</strong>, 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22, Nigh University Center Ballrooms: Central State University alumni who graduated from the university in 1976 or prior are invited to attend. This year, members of the 1890 Legacy Society will also be honored.</span></li><li><span><strong>Distinguished Alumni Awards Banquet</strong>, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, Nigh University Center Ballrooms: Join UCO Alumni Engagement as they honor this year&#039;s recipients of the highest award given to Central alumni. To purchase tickets, visit <a href=\"http://www.centralconnection.org/daa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.centralconnection.org/daa</a>. </span></li><li><span><strong>YELL</strong>, 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, Hamilton Field House: Student organizations compete at the sixth annual YELL as they demonstrate their Broncho Pride with their best chants.</span></li><li><span><strong>The Homecoming Stroll Down</strong>, 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, NUC, Constitution Hall: The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at UCO will showcase their pride, culture and unity through friendly competition. Each chapter will bring its best for a chance to win a scholarship to support their organization. <a href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uco-nphc-stroll-down-tickets-1995697186006?aff=erelpanelorg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purchase a ticket to support the NPHC</a>.</span></li><li><span><strong>Bronchtoberfest,</strong> 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, The Barlor, 26 W. Hurd St., Edmond: An opportunity for alumni and friends to network during a spirited Homecoming happy hour. Register at <a href=\"http://www.centralconnection.org/bronchtoberfest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.centralconnection.org/bronchtoberfest</a>.</span></li></ul><p>All alumni Homecoming events are sponsored by MidFirst Bank. For a complete schedule of events, visit <a href=\"http://www.uco.edu/homecoming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.uco.edu/homecoming</a>. </p><p style=\"text-align: center\">(end)</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-b6307b75-cdfc-4216-a775-8c796c53e74a\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/eee27d1a-e66c-4fc6-ba8f-5f011b0c5414/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Devan Wielgos\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Devan Wielgos</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:dwielgos@uco.edu\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dwielgos@uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>dwielgos@uco.edu</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:405-974-2127\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"405-974-2127\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>405-974-2127</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.uco.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>uco.edu</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Devan Wielgos",
            "company": "UCO University Communications",
            "description": "Communications and Marketing Coordinator",
            "email": "dwielgos@uco.edu",
            "website": "https://www.uco.edu",
            "address": null,
            "telephone": "405-974-2127",
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        "first_name": "Sarah",
        "last_name": "Ward"
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