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Homecoming

Planning for Homecoming 2026

The following information is available to assist you and your colleagues as you plan for Homecoming 2026. If you need any additional information, please contact Alumni Engagement at (309) 438-2586.

Alumni Day

Alumni Day, which will take place on Friday, October 23, is a wonderful opportunity to bring your alumni back to campus, honor them for their achievements, and encourage these alumni to share their knowledge with current students. If you have not already done so, in order to allow them time to take off of work or make travel plans, please select and invite your Alumni Day guest(s) soon. Alumni Day honorees will have the option to attend virtually or in person. Those that attend in person will only be allowed one guest. If you need assistance with alumni guest selection, please contact your respective Dean or Development Director.

Once you have decided which alumni you would like to invite, complete the Alumni Day participation form. The deadline for participation will be announced soon. Please remember to complete a form for each alumni nominee.

Hotel Information

Secure necessary travel arrangements and make hotel reservations, if needed, for your guests. For a complete listing and maps of the area, check out the Visiting Campus page.

Get Your Activities Promoted

  • Special Homecoming emails to all alumni will be sent the week of September 7 and October 5. Requests should be submitted through the online request form by August 31 and September 28 respectively. Departments should not request Homecoming relays to be sent outside of this system.
  • Those interested in being included in the September e-newsletters should submit information by Septemer 18.
  • Information submitted through the request form can also be included within social media posts and the Homecoming website.
  • Anytime you post for Homecoming, we encourage you to link back to Homecoming.IllinoisState.edu.
  • Please also be aware of the photo/video release information needed at University events. Resources are available for events that have a registration option and for events that do not require registration

Submit Your Event Attendance/Alumni Engagement

As your college/department completes Homecoming events or have alumni guests on campus, remember to submit your attendee list. Please remember to collect as much information as possible including name, graduation year, address, email, phone, etc.

Once on the SharePoint Homepage, go to the right-hand side menu, select "Forms and Templates," and download the General Data Collection Template.  When using the form, please enter in What type of data are you submitting? field, “Event Attendance” and give a description of the event, including name and date it took place, or "Group List" with the description indicating what group and the code if one has already been created. Go to data tab and put in information.

Once done, save template with College/Department name and short description of list, and go to "Data Update Dropbox" in SharePoint. Here you can drop the list for uploading.  

Marshals

A long-running Homecoming tradition is the selection of Homecoming marshals. Faculty and staff can nominate individuals for alumni marshals (deadline June 3) and Reggie's marshals (deadline August 23). All nomination forms will be available under the Homecoming marshals web page.

Campus Decorating

Register your office or department to promote your Redbird pride and show your Homecoming spirit! Entrants will be judged on their use of the 2026 Homecoming theme Redbirds Reunite, use of their school spirit, use of Illinois State University’s name and/or images and the impact of the decorations all week. Judging will be on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Town and Gown 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk

The annual run will be Saturday, October 24 at 8 a.m., rain or shine. Consider forming a group to participate in this annual activity. Register early to be guaranteed an exclusive dri-fit shirt. Online registration is available through October 23. Check-in will be held outside the Student Fitness Center, with parking available in the South University St. parking garage.

Homecoming Parade

Saturday, October 24 at 10 a.m., Units wishing to participate in the parade should make their own arrangements for a parade entry, vehicle, and signs. Registration information is available under the Homecoming Parade section.

Tailgate Lots

If you plan to host a small tailgate, be sure to review and read all of the tailgating information provided at GoRedbirds.com. The spaces are reserved through Redbird Athletics, however, we encourage you to forward details of your event to Jamie Sennett (jrsenne@IllinoisState.edu) so that it can be included in the Homecoming calendar of events and promoted through the various Homecoming marketing materials.

Redbird Village sponsored by Avanti's Italian Restuarant

More information coming soon.

Redbird Football

Get ready for some Redbird football on Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m. Because the Homecoming game will sell out, we encourage you to make arrangements for your tickets early. Please contact the Redbird Ticket office at GoRedbirds.com or (309) 438-8000.

Learn More and Join In

  • This is just a brief snapshot of the many activities taking place during Homecoming 2026. Additional details regarding all of the Homecoming 2026 festivities are available online at Homecoming.IllinoisState.edu.
  • Follow Homecoming on Instagram ( @ISU_Homecoming ) for updates and to see what's happening.
  • Download desktop backgrounds, Facebook cover photos, and logos for your email signature. You can also change your campus phone background and Zoom backgrounds to show off your Homecoming spirit!
  • Tag your Homecoming 2026 social media posts with #RedbirdHomecoming.