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Eastern Illinois University

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming

2025 Homecoming Events

Schedule is tentative and will be updated as we get closer to Homecoming 2025!

Monday, Oct. 6 - Wednesday, Oct. 8

Billy in the SchoolsCharleston / Mattoon Area Schools

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ’s beloved mascot, Billy Panther, will be spreading Panther Pride throughout the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Pre-Week with special visits to Charleston area grade schools. Students’ creativity will also shine with a Homecoming coloring contest, proudly displayed in the MLK Jr. Union!

Billy in the Schools

Monday, Oct. 6 - Saturday, Oct. 11

Paint the Town BlueCharleston Community

In collaboration with the Charleston Tourism Office, this community-wide spirit initiative encourages residents, civic groups, and businesses to show their support for 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Week. Join the celebration with stickers, window placards, yard signs and Spirit T-shirts as we unite to turn Charleston Panther blue!

Real Panthers Decorate BlueAcross Campus

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Departments, 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Colleges and Faculty/Staff are invited to decorate their main buildings, offices, lobbies, windows, walls, doors, front desks, and cafeterias in a friendly competition for the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Real Panthers Decorate Blue Competition. More details coming soon! 

Spirit BannersAcross Campus

Get in the spirit with a banner representing your RSO, residence hall or group! More details coming soon!

 

Food Drive Across Campus

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Panthers are saddling up for service during Homecoming Week by partnering with the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Campus Food Pantry to tackle food insecurity and hunger among students. The 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Campus Food Pantry supports students by providing essential food items, and the entire 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ community is encouraged to give back through monetary donations, volunteering, or donating non-perishable food items. Join us in making a difference—sign up for a volunteer slot below.

Campus Food Pantry

Monday, Oct. 6

Homecoming Kickoff11 am - 1 pm, Library Quad

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ students, faculty, and staff are invited to wear their 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ blue and join the celebration as we kick off Homecoming Week 2025!

Homecoming Royalty Coronation7 pm, MLK Jr. Union, Grand Ballroom

Celebrate the crowning of this year's Homecoming Royalty at Coronation! Join us for an elegant evening as we honor the outstanding students who embody the spirit of 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ.

2025 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Coronation

Tuesday, Oct. 7

HOCO on the Go!11 am - 1 pm, Across Campus

The Panther Patrol will be cruising around campus, spreading 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Panther Pride! Members of the 2025 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Committee will be making stops at 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ departments and offering golf cart rides across campus. Keep an eye out for the team as they travel around, strike up fun deals, and hand out exciting prizes and giveaways!

Homecoming Crafts Night7 - 9 pm, MLK Jr. Union, University Ballroom 

Unleash your creativity with homecoming themed crafts and activities!

Bowling Night7 - 9 pm, MLK Jr. Union, 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Lanes

When the lights go down, the fun begins! The 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Bowling Lanes in the MLK Jr. Union will be the place to be, featuring 12 lanes of glow-in-the-dark bowling fun! Highlights of the event include backlighting, mock-tails bar, popcorn, pizza, free shoe rental, discount games and Homecoming prizes and giveaways.

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Bowling

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Faculty & Staff Blue-B-Que11 am - 1 pm, Doudna Concourse

The annual 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Blue-B-Que is always fun for 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ faculty and staff. 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ employees are invited to come together over a complimentary meal and Homecoming prizes and giveaways. Faculty and staff who bring canned goods to donate to the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Campus Food Pantry will receive extra tickets for great Homecoming prizes and giveaways!

Thursday, Oct. 9

HOCO on the Go!11 am - 1 pm, Across Campus

The Panther Patrol will be cruising around campus, spreading 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Panther Pride! Members of the 2024 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Committee will be making stops at 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ departments and offering golf cart rides across campus. Keep an eye out for the team as they travel around, strike up fun deals, and hand out exciting prizes and giveaways!

Dance Party8 - 10 pm,MLK Jr. Union, University Ballroom

Get your groove on with Billy and your fellow Panthers!

Friday, Oct. 10

Quad Party3-6 pm, Library Quad

Games, activities and fun in the Library Quad!

 

Saturday, Oct. 11

Rotary Pancake Breakfast6:30 - 10 am, Dirty's Parking Lot

The all-you-can-eat Rotary Pancake Breakfast is one of the most endearing Homecoming traditions during 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Week. Charleston Rotarians will serve sunrise pancakes and drinks during the Homecoming parade to welcome 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ alumni, students, faculty, staff and Charleston residents prior to the start of the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Run and parade events. Sponsored by the Charleston Rotary Club, the proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets: Adults - $6, Children 11 and under - $3.

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Pancake Breakfast

27th Annual 2.5K Run / Walk9 am, Starts at corner of 7th St. and Lincoln Ave.

Lace up your sneakers for this 2.5K race around the Charleston Square in celebration of Eastern Illinois University's homecoming! This is not a timed race, but prizes will be given for first finishers by age categories. Sponsored by the City of Charleston’s Department of Parks & Recreation and Department of Tourism. 

Homecoming 2.5K Run / Walk

 

Homecoming Parade9:30 am, Starts at corner of 7th St. and Lincoln Ave.

The 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Parade is an annual tradition that historically consists of around 100 campus/community parade entries. Highlights include the Parade Grand Marshall, decorated cars, bands, banners and floats.

To sign up for the 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Parade, please complete the forms below by 4:30 pm, Friday, October 3, 2025.

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Parade

2025 Parade Entry 2025 Parade Acknowledgement of Risk/Liability 2025 Code of Conduct

 

 

 

Tailgate & Tent City11 am, O'Brien Field Tailgate Area

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to the game day experience! Panther Pride will be on full display during the tailgate festivities in Alumni Tent City featuring 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ academic tents, Panther Marching Band, food, games, music, and fun for all ages.

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Tailgate & Tent City

Football Game2 pm, O'Brien Field

Cheer on your 91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Panthers towards victory! For more ticket information visit the Panther Athletics website.

91³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Homecoming Football Game

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