Homecoming 2026
Planning is underway for Homecoming 2026. Keep an eye on this space for updates, coming soon, and we can’t wait to see you in October!
Homecoming festivities include a fun-packed Friday and Saturday featuring traditional favorites such as the Forever Lions 5K race, the choir concert, the alumni social with current and former faculty and staff, and the Bailey Mountain Cloggers at 1 p.m. on the Lunsford Commons (in conjunction with the Lunsford Festival) and the Mountain Lion Marching Band performances on Athletic Street before kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
You’ll have the chance to cheer on our student-athletes with women’s and men’s soccer and volleyball having home games on Friday, and volleyball having a home match Saturday evening following the football game.
We’ll have reunions for the classes of 1976 and 1986, which are having milestone anniversaries this year, as well as alumni gatherings for women’s basketball, choir, and some Greek life organizations.
Homecoming will also be a great chance for you to pay a visit to the new Campus Center. You’ve seen the progress on construction over the past few years; now, it’s open, and we’d love for you to experience this great new space for our students!
One big change this year: the Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament is moving to the spring for the 2026–27 school year.
Saturday also will include the Madison Heritage Arts Festival and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music Festival, so there will be a lot of exciting things happening across campus and downtown.
Schedule of Events | September 29–October 4, 2026
Welcome home, Lions! Alumni and friends from every class year are invited to reconnect, celebrate, and enjoy a full weekend on campus.
TUESDAY | September 29 — Homecoming Week Begins
All day
Lions Athletics Day of Giving (Online)
Support Mars Hill student-athletes and athletic programs.
WEDNESDAY | September 30
12:00 p.m.
Faculty/Staff Alumni Luncheon
Floyd Conference Center, Campus Center
THURSDAY | October 1 — Leadership & Recognition
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Floyd Conference Center, Campus Center
6:00–8:00 p.m.
President’s Recognition Dinner
Floyd Conference Center, Campus Center
7:30 p.m.
Lions Growl & Homecoming Court
Meares Stadium
FRIDAY | October 2 — Reunions, Remembrance & Celebration
8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Joint Meeting of the President’s Advisory Council and Alumni Council
Floyd Conference Center, Campus Center
3:00 p.m.
Guided Walking Tour of Campus
Meet in front of Marshbanks Hall
3:00–4:00 p.m.
A Tribute to the Rev. Sue Fitzgerald
Broyhill Chapel | Reception immediately following in Fellowship Hall
4:30–6:00 p.m.
All-Alumni Homecoming Celebration: The Soundtrack of Our Generation
Sunken Garden (Rain location: Moore Auditorium)
Music by Debbie Phillips Band featuring Debbie Phillips ’86. All class years and reunion groups are warmly invited.
5:00 p.m.
Women’s Soccer vs. Lincoln Memorial
Meares Stadium
6:00 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball vs. Wingate
Chambers Gymnasium
7:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. Lincoln Memorial
Meares Stadium
SATURDAY | October 3 — The Heart of Homecoming
8:30 a.m.
Forever Lions 5K
Otis Duck Greenway
Begins 9:00 a.m.
Homecoming Registration
Two locations: Athletic Street at Ammons Field House & Campus Center front entrance on Lunsford Commons
9:00–9:30 a.m.
Alumni Band Rehearsal with Mountain Lions Marching Band
Meares Stadium
9:30–10:00 a.m.
Band and Choir Alumni Brunch
Gather before the Choir Concert in the Fellowship Hall
10:00–10:30 a.m.
Alumni Choir Rehearsal
Broyhill Chapel
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Alumni Gathering with Current and Former Faculty & Staff
Fireplace Lounge, Campus Center
10:00–11:30 a.m.
Women’s Basketball Reunion
Chambers Gymnasium
10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Kids Zone
Ammons Field House
10:00–10:30 a.m.
Guided Walking Tour of Campus
Meet in front of Marshbanks Hall.
11:00–11:45 a.m.
Choir Concert
Broyhill Chapel
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Class of 1976 – 50th Reunion Luncheon
Floyd Conference Center, Campus Center
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Class of 1986 – 40th Reunion Luncheon
Oscar Sams Dining in the Pittman Dining Hall – Chapman Garden Entrance
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Bailey Mountain Cloggers
Lunsford Commons in front of the Campus Center
1:45–2:30 p.m.
Mountain Lion Marching Band with Spirit and Dance Teams
Pre-game performance
2:30 p.m.
Football vs. Tusculum
Meares Stadium
7:00 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball vs. Coker
Chambers Gymnasium
SUNDAY | October 4 — Worship & One More Cheer
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Homecoming Worship Service
Mars Hill Baptist Church | Guest preacher: Dr. David Smith ’69 (Meal following service)
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Soccer vs. Tuskegee
Meares Stadium
Reunions for Classes of 1976 and 1986 and other groups