Homecoming weekend brings something unique to Linfield every year. From exciting booths on Streak Street to all Linfield sports being on home turf, the weekend offers something special for everyone. Even those who have graduated but wish to remain connected to their alma mater have a home during Homecoming.
As with every Homecoming weekend, alumni returned to campus. The weekend has many traditions that connect current and former students as Wildcats.
“It feels really comforting to have alumni back on campus because they want to come back,” said sophomore sociology major Nicole Covarrubias. “You just imagine yourself as an alumnus as well.”
There were a host of events to welcome graduates back, and students were overjoyed to meet them. Students raced to ask them questions that they may not want to ask a professor, especially as many are still connected with the McMinnville community.
“Alumni are integral to Pi Kappa Alpha’s success,” said senior finance and accounting major Radule Bozovic. “We love seeing a lot from all sorts of eras: ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, even five to ten years ago.”
Meanwhile, in the realm of sports, the Linfield Wildcats trumped the Pacific Boxers 23-6 in the Homecoming football game. Many players wore pink socks and cleats in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the cheer & dance team made several two- and three-layered human pyramids.
“It’s just something I wear based on the month,” said freshman digital arts major and running back James Bethune.
At halftime, the Wildcat band played “Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas, “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, “Treasure” by Bruno Mars and “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.
Mack the Wildcat sprayed whipped cream in volunteer mouths early during the game, and there were several boxes of free Odd Moe’s Pizza handed out at halftime.
Streak Street had five student run stalls open during the football game.
One of them offered free photos in front of a banner of Mack the Wildcat, and two were dedicated to Sigma Kappa Phi’s $4 Awkward Family Photo Booth for a more “fun” style of photo.
Pi Kappa Alpha held a dunk tank fundraiser for the local fire department, hoping to beat the $700 they raised last year. Zeta Tau Alpha’s 50/50 raffle raised $2,710 for breast cancer research.
In women’s soccer, the Wildcats beat the George Fox Bruins 2-0 on Saturday, and won against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers 1-0 Sunday.
In men’s soccer, the Wildcats narrowly lost to the Bruins 4-2 on Saturday, but tied with the Pioneers 4-4 the day after.
In volleyball, Linfield triumphed over the Bruins 3-0 on Saturday.
In the end, this Homecoming weekend was a wonderful time for the Linfield community to come together and celebrate just how far we have come. It is only through collective effort that Linfield continues to offer students the opportunity to “explore the uncommon.”
