The 2026 Eureka College Homecoming took place September 14th-19th, with exciting activities on campus and community involvement.
To start the week of celebration, Eureka College engaged in a competition, “Dorm Wars.” This is a yearly tradition where RAs and residents on campus work independently to decorate the communal spaces.
At the end of the week, judges decide which residential building best brightened its halls. Gunz Hall won the 2026 Dorm Wars. Gunz residents worked together to create an inclusive space that celebrates the spirit of Homecoming the best.
On Thursday, September 17th, the official homecoming pep rally was held in the Dickeson Commons. Everyone gathered together for a BBQ meal provided by Quest Dining Services.
During this event, Head Cheer and Dance Coach Jerrica Grant highlighted the fall sports teams and coaches. At the end, students were encouraged to sign up for the Eureka College newsletter in return for getting a free homecoming T-shirt to wear to the game!
Saturday, September 19th was the Homecoming football game against St. Norbert and a celebratory tailgate. Students, staff, friends, family, alumni, and pretty much anyone in Eureka are welcome.
Eureka College alumni Brandt King and Sofie Bressner are two examples of former students who celebrate homecoming differently. Bressner is the founder of Buzz, an energy drink shop.
“I started at the college last year,” Bressner said.
King, an assistant coach for the Eureka College Baseball team, states, “It’s a little different, a lot of responsibility, especially working for the college now.”
During the tailgate, students had many options for food, entertainment, and community engagement. The college also rented a bounce house for students to jump in during homecoming.
Junior Matthew Swan began his day in the bounce house, before students from various sports had their moment of fun in it as well.
Closer to the baseball field, a stage was set up for a band to play for the community. Before the band was fully set up, a DJ had been playing line-dance-style songs, and students and faculty got together to dance.
During the tailgate portion of homecoming, the sororities on campus had tables set up to branch out. Delta Delta Pi, Phi Omega, and Delta Zeta had very engaging table ideas like bake sales and mini games.
During Homecoming, families were encouraged to come visit their students and enjoy “Family Week.” The two different events coexisted to create one large community event for everyone to gather and enjoy Eureka College pride.
Families joined the tailgate with canopies and tables to play pong with the college students. During this, students got to not only catch up with their loved ones, but also introduce their new relationships to their old ones.
Student body president Elijah Dew and his mom Tara Dew were asked about their opinions of homecoming, to which they both agreed that community is the most rewarding thing about being a part of homecoming. Dew states he’s a part of “Student senate, Student Body president, Senior RA, Reagan Fellow, and Psychology and Kinesiology double major,” so he is actively involved in the Eureka community outside of homecoming.
Students of Eureka are offered two raffle tickets a piece each worth $5 toward the food trucks. This is something that helps the student body feel special and build community engagement during the home football events.
Swan ended his time at the tailgate earlier than most students. As a student enthused by broadcasting, he signed up to broadcast the Homecoming football game.
At the end of the night, students were invited to wrap up their Homecoming spirits at Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) in celebration of the day and community with Jugs and Jerseys.
