WVU Homecoming unites generations of Mountaineers with celebration of pride and tradition

Morgantown will shine in gold, blue and black this weekend (Oct. 24-26) as Mountaineers gather for West Virginia University Homecoming, a celebration that will honor school pride, old and new traditions, and the state's industry roots.

"Homecoming is one of the most powerful reminders of what it means to be a member of the Mountaineer family," said Kevin Berry, vice president of Alumni Relations and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association. "Generations come together each year to unite the past and present, creating a bond rooted in school pride and tradition."

The annual Homecoming Parade, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday (Oct. 24) on High Street, will feature Dr. Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, as the grand marshal, along with the other recipients of the 2025 Homecoming and Alumni Service Awards.

The University will also name two students "Homecoming Royalty" during a halftime ceremony at the Coal Rushfootball game against TCU Saturday (Oct. 25) at Milan Puskar Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear black and will light up the stadium with LED wristbands, courtesy of Coca-Cola, to pay tribute to West Virginia's coal miners. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

"There's something fitting about pairing Homecoming with the Coal Rush game," Berry said. "It's a chance to celebrate the grit, perseverance and deep sense of belonging that connect us all as Mountaineers."

This year's Homecoming Court candidatesare all seniors and include Macey Barritt, a political scienceand philosophymajor minoring in leadership studiesfrom Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kayla Bordogna, a psychologymajor from Morgantown; Laya Chennuru, a neuroscienceand psychology major from Martinsburg; Sydney Hickle, a political science major minoring in philosophy and Spanishfrom Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Julia Leyden, a history, political science and philosophy major minoring in leadership studies from Morgantown; Minah Moine, an exercise physiologymajor with an emphasis in health professions from Clarksburg; Christopher Morrison, a marketingmajor with an emphasis in professional sales from McDonald, Pennsylvania; Payton Ogden, an advertising and public relationsmajor minoring in marketing and strategic social mediafrom Morgantown; Logan Pierce, a political science and international studiesmajor from Carolina; Bella Randle, an entrepreneurship and innovation, financeand marketing major from Cincinnati, Ohio; and Michael Taylor, a political science, danceand philosophy major from Clendenin.

Students can vote for Homecoming Royalty on WVUENGAGE from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 21) and Wednesday (Oct. 22).

Otherkey events include:

A special Homecoming edition of Mountaineer Friday will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (Oct. 24) outside the Mountainlair with the WVU Alumni Association truck on hand with giveaways, including mum buttons, a WVU Bookstore pop-up shop, the Mountaineer mascot, Mountaineer Maniacs, food trucks and more.

New this year, the men'sand women'sbasketball teams will kick off the 2025-26 season with "Ballin' at Woodburn"following the WVU Homecoming Parade Friday (Oct. 24) in Woodburn Circle on the Downtown area of campus. The WVU Bookstore will set up a pop-up shop offering basketball gear, jerseys and Built on Bravery products. Fans will have opportunities to get items autographed after the event.

Alumni and other fans are invited to a free Homecoming Kickoff Concert featuring the Davisson Brothers Band, food trucks, games and more from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25) at Almost Heaven Village, located on the east side of Milan Puskar Stadium.

The Center for Black Culture and Black Alumni Association will host a tailgate open to the publicbeginning at 2 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25) in the Gold Lot with food from 3-5 p.m.

A tailgate hosted by the WVU College of Lawwill be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 25) at the Fitzsimmons Event Hall.

Campus Recreation is scheduled to host the Trick-or-Trot 5K and Kids Fun Runstarting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 26) at the Student Rec Center. Costumes are encouraged, and there will be trick-or-treating along the course.

Find more Homecoming information, including the full schedule of events.

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ta/10/20/25

MEDIA CONTACT: Kallie Nealis Assistant Director of Alumni Marketing WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing 304-293-2786; [email protected]

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