Sometimes, it takes two coats of paint to get the right color.
Bradley is setting out to get it right and “paint the town red” this Oct. 2-3 for homecoming weekend.
The goal is for attendees to wear as much red as they can, but event organizers are facing a more ambitious feat first; they want to make sure everyone can be there.
“We have a lot of surrounding neighborhoods that are a part of the Bradley community just because of distance,” Alli Krone, an associate director of alumni relations, said. “Making sure that they feel welcome, that they can come hang out with us and spread the Bradley spirit on campus, was our goal.”
But that hasn’t always been the case.
Historically, homecomings bring back alumni for class reunions and foster a generational community around a university. But associate director of alumni relations Ashlyn Kahl-Rundle notes that approach didn’t serve its purpose either.
“Sometimes [alumni] feel there’s not enough of a reason to come back on that day or that weekend,” Kahl-Rundle said. “They come back for reunions or if their friends will be there, but we really just wanted to find a way to energize more people and motivate more people to come back.”
With “lighting the B,” an event within homecoming where students gather in front of Bradley Hall for celebrations, students have found that energy. Some, like junior Olivia Williams, a music entertainment industry and media production major, look to expand it in other ways.
As the singer of Bradley’s KaboomBox band, Williams noted that homecoming has transformed the group as well.
“The previous band was more for visit days and things like that, but we have been more interactive with both on- and off-campus gigs,” she said. “Being part of a group to hype up the crowd and raise that energy level is euphoric.”
Part of building that momentum includes a big crowd, so student body president Peyton Coburn has transformed the student council’s role within homecoming from the outside this year.
“Although homecoming is a great tradition, I am hoping that the members of the student senate can help administration spread the excitement and details with students,” Coburn said.
One big Bradley party
Beyond events and features for everyone, homecoming aims to bring together the sea of red outfits in the alumni quad for the yard party on Oct. 3.
With tabling from student organizations, student athletes, faculty, Greek chapters, various bands and food, it aims to be a culmination of the Bradley experience.
But the biggest change this year isn’t a theme, excitement or even options – but accessibility.
“We’re shuttling people from here to Shea Stadium for free on a big red shuttle bus to rally the crowd and cheer on the soccer team as well,” Krone said. “And if you attend the yard party on Saturday, you get into the women’s volleyball game for free at three o’clock.”
To extend that accessibility with community engagement, several local businesses will offer 10% discounts on Sunday, Oct. 4, to anyone who attends the yard party.
For more information on homecoming events, visit here; registration for the yard party for non-Bradley students is $10, while students get free entry when they sign up.
