UAH Homecoming 2023 turns the spotlight on Charger spirit Oct. 11-14

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) celebrates Charger spirit with a fall carnival flair during Homecoming 2023 on the UAH campus Oct. 11-14. Fun and games, athletic contests, community service activities and more will conclude with the grand finale on Saturday: the Battle of the Bands and the crowning of the Homecoming Court.

This annual tradition, presented by the Office of Student Life, brings together students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff and community supporters of UAH, a part of the University of Alabama System.

“Homecoming is a great opportunity to bridge what the university has been to where we are now and then look forward to what we’re going to become,” says Nikki Goode, director of Student Life.

“It’s a wonderful time for our alumni to come back to campus and see the fruits of their labor in terms of the mark they made on campus, how that has grown and evolved, especially through the work of our student organizations. Of course, it’s a very spirited time. Our students always appreciate the opportunity to show off their Charger pride. We’re excited about it!”

Paint the Town Blue will start the show on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Student organizations and campus departments will express their Charger spirit by creating murals on eight-foot-by-eight-foot structures set up around campus. Participants can use paint or any other medium. Winners will be announced during the Battle of the Bands on Saturday.

UAH’s Dance Marathon will seek Change for Change on Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Charger Union (CU) breezeway. Proceeds will benefit Children’s of Alabama, the only health system in the state dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children.

UAH soccer and volleyball teams will boost Homecoming excitement at games set for Friday through Sunday:

• UAH Women’s Soccer vs. Delta State, Friday, 5 p.m., Charger Park
• UAH Volleyball vs. Christian Brothers, Friday, 6 p.m., Spragins Hall
• UAH Men’s Soccer vs. Delta State, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Charger Park
• UAH Volleyball vs. Union, Saturday, 2 p.m., Spragins Hall
• UAH Women’s Soccer vs. Mississippi College, Sunday, 1 p.m., Charger Park
• UAH Men’s Soccer vs. Mississippi College, Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Charger Park

Future UAH Chargers can check out campus during Discovery Day, designed for high school seniors and transfer students, on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. The full-day event showcases different elements of the Charger experience, including academic programs and student life. Registration for this Saturday’s session closes on Wednesday. There are two more sessions this semester on Oct. 21 and Nov. 11.

Service Saturday will take Chargers off campus from 9 a.m. to noon that day for an immersive, hands-on volunteer opportunity. Participants will learn about and assist one of two local nonprofits: Huntsville Botanical Garden and Enable Gardens.

The 2023 Charger Carnival Family Fun Day will happen on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. on the CU lawn. There will be activities for all ages, including face painting, caricatures, inflatables, cyclone swing, dizzy dash, candy apples, axe throwing, pumpkin painting, photo booth and music.

The Association for Campus Entertainment will present the Battle of the Bands on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the Slab at the Conference Training Center. Bands participating this year are Firstlady, Edgehill and Sunset Drive.

After the Battle is over, about 8 p.m., the 2023 UAH Homecoming Court will be crowned.

For a full list of Homecoming 2023 events, visit uah.edu/student-life/student-events/homecoming.