Homecoming 2026

HOMECOMING WEEK: October 15-17.

The Ultimate Shepherd Homecoming Experience: a raffle supporting Shepherd Cheer
Enjoy the perfect Homecoming weekend in Shepherdstown! Enter for a change to win an all inclusive weekend for TWO filled with great local food, drinks, coffee, and a cozy stay. Raffle ends October 12 at 12 p.m. (noon). Winner announced October 12 at 3 p.m.

Grand Prize Includes:

• Stay at the Thomas Shepherd Inn (room for two. Check in October 17; Check out October 18)
• 2 tickets to the football game (general admission)
• Breakfast at Betty’s ($40 gift card)
• Coffee at Little Brick ($20 gift card)
• Dinner at Rumsey Tavern ($100 gift card)
• Drinks at the Study Hall ($50 gift card)

ENTER NOW details pdf

Homecoming Restaurant Passport – running Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17
Visit your favorite local spots to get their homecoming deals and specials! Get 2 or more stamps at participating locations and turn it in at either the Alumni Breakfast on Saturday morning or at the Post-Game Gathering at Panagiota’s for a chance to win a special prize from the Alumni Association!  Download Your Passport Card

Gear up for Homecoming & support SUAA in the process!
The Shepherd University Alumni Association is partnering with alumna-owned business, Calling Co. (Jenn Prine ’12), for a special Homecoming t-shirt. For each Shepherd is Calling shirt sold $5 will be donated back to the Alumni Association. Represent the school that’s always calling you back! Get your Shepherd is Calling shirt for Homecoming 2026 & support SUAA.

Get your 2026 Homecoming T-shirt!

Thursday, October 15

Alumni Awards Ceremony & Reception
6 – 8 p.m.
Storer Ballroom – 3rd floor, Student Center
The Shepherd University Alumni Association is proud to recognize our 2026 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, David Decker ’89, along with the newest class of Finest Under 40, Justin Arner ’09, B. Alex Lemley ’10, Brooklyn Vetter ’14
RSVP HERE  Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 7. For questions, contact director of alumni affairs, Katie Swayne, at 304-876-5524 or kswayne@shepherd.edu.

Friday, October 16

35th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament
Check-In & Breakfast begins: 7 a.m. / Welcome & Tee Time: 9 a.m.
The Club at Cress Creek
It’s time for the 2026 Shepherd University Alumni Association 35th Annual Homecoming Golf Tournament! We’re excited to have our Ram Fam back on campus! We are limited to 30 team (120 players), so please register early! A waiting list will be started when capacity is reached and any canceled/open spaces will be backfilled in the order waitlist names are received.
FULL INFORMATION & REGISTRATION Registration deadline is Friday, October 2. For questions, contact director of alumni affairs, Katie Swayne, at 304-876-5524 or kswayne@shepherd.edu.

2026 Shepherd Athletic Club Homecoming Party
6 p.m.
The Rumsey Event Center
The event begins at 6:00 p.m., and at 6:30 p.m., the program will feature brief remarks from Shepherd University Director of Athletics Carrie Bodkins, SUAC Board President Kelly Colbert, and Shepherd University Coaches. Food and drinks will be provided by Captain Benders, Jefferson Distributing Company and Cellier Wine Distributing, and DJ Rick Rohn will provide music. RSVPs are requested by Monday, October 12th, using the form below or by calling 304-876-5527. Food & Drink, Live DJ, Reconnect with fellow Alumni, Kickoff HoCo Weekend!

RSVP HERE

Saturday, October 17

Alumni Breakfast on the Lawn of McMurran
9 – 11 a.m.
Join the Alumni Association on Saturday morning before the game for breakfast and mingling with the Ram Fam. It’s the best spot to watch the Homecoming Parade as it comes down German St.! For SUAA GOLD-level members, you can pick up your game ticket at the breakfast from 9-11 a.m. One ticket per GOLD-level member.

Homecoming Parade down German St.
10 a.m.

• College of Business and Technology meet & greet table – corner of King & High Streets outside of Knutti Hall
  • Tour the new AI Collaboratory in White Hall 113 and discover how artificial intelligence is being integrated into teaching, learning, business innovation, and community partnerships across the region.
•  College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences meet & greet table – Knutti Hall front porch
  • School of Arts & Media Tailgate – CCA Copper Canyon, 12-2 p.m. – RSVP HERE (required)
  • Shepherd University Writing Project – “Frederick Douglass and the Freedom of Writing: A Children’s Creative Writing Workshop and Book Event” – Little House Lawn, 10:30 a.m. – free books and writing supplies for kids!
• College Science, Health, and Wellness meet & greet table – Byrd Science Lawn
  • Department of Natural and Physical Sciences – Laboratory Tours
  • School of Nursing – Tours of the Laboratory and Simulation Spaces

Rams vs. Bloomsburg
Noon
Game information and tickets can be found at shepherdrams.com.

Championship Football Teams Anniversary Recognition
during the football game
A special recognition for the 1986 (40 year), 1991 (35 year), 20036 (20 year), 2016 (10 year), and 2021 (5 year) anniversary football championship teams of Gather on the Midway from 10am – Noon for a pre-game tailgate spot reserved for team members and their family and friends. All team members are also invited to the Friday night SUAC Homecoming Party with a complimentary ticket.
Let us know you’re coming!

Alumni Association Post-Game Gathering
directly following the game until 7 p.m.
Panagiota’s Taste of Greece – 115 E. German St.
Join us for appetizers and mingling with fellow alumni after the game. The first 100 Shepherd Ram Fans to enter will get a complimentary drink ticket courtesy of the Alumni Association! Turn in your Homecoming Weekend Restaurant Passport with 3 or more stamps completed to enter for a chance to win a special prize from the Alumni Association. Prize drawing will happen during the Post-Game Gathering at 6:45 p.m. – shown LIVE on the SUAA Facebook page. Do not need to be present to win. If winner is not present, they will be contacted to arrange prize pick up.

Sunday, October 18

Homecoming Farewell Open House
Lightsome Coffee Shop (18372 College Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Department of Business and Sports Administration for a Homecoming Farewell coffee, featuring Alumni Owned Business, Lightsome Coffee, owned by Molly McCook ’22 & ’24, Maddy McCook ’25 & ’26, and Timmy Townsend ’24.

Another alumni-owned business will be joining in on the fun! DinoQuest Adventures, owned by Miguel Aguilar ’25, will be there with displays and activities! DinoQuest Adventures is a veteran-owned, West Virginia-based mobile dinosaur entertainment company bringing life-sized, realistic dinosaurs directly to events across West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and beyond. From dinosaur meet-and-greets and birthday celebrations to community festivals, school programs, business promotions, and interactive educational experiences, DinoQuest Adventures creates unforgettable moments that spark imagination and curiosity. Their professional performers, realistic dinosaur costumes, and commitment to exceptional customer service make every event a prehistoric experience to remember. DinoQuest Adventures is also helping bring learning to life through interactive programming that combines dinosaurs, STEM, literacy, and hands-on discovery—showing that education can be just as exciting as it is engaging.