It’s that time of year again — Homecoming week!

With a special appearance by the 1969 Alumni team and a week set with activities, homecoming is bound to be full of great experiences. 

Talking with Head Football Coach Manny Matsakis, he remarked, “We should have a good crowd with alumni coming back. The 1969 undefeated football team with a Record 9-0 is coming back for their 50th anniversary.” The team will be getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

According to Coach Matsakis, the focus heading into homecoming week for the team is to continue “working on us instead of worrying about what opponent we are playing against. We will be playing the defending conference champions Hanover College at home.” 

“It’s the first actual home game in the stadium because the first game of the year we played Thursday night at Defiance High school.” Kick-off for the game is at 1:30 pm. 

The students can look forward to multiple activities this week as well.  Along with students receiving free entry to all events with their student ID, there are many other adventures planned. Lisa Marsalek, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator said in an email the homecoming events will be as follows: 

• Monday night will be a movie night at the Northtowne Cinema  
• Tuesday will be Axe throwing, giant corn hole, Human billiards  
• Wednesday Homecoming T–shirts will be given away 

• Thursday there will be a bonfire between the residence Halls with S’mores  
• Friday is Lunchtime Bingo in the Café and ScreamAcres in Napoleon, Ohio. Transportation will be provided. 
• Saturday is tailgating Before the football team takes on Hanover. 

Homecoming week is also about the Homecoming court. 

 One of last year nominates, Brooke Gostomsky, an Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy Major, explained the nomination process.   got an email that she was on the ballot and needed to head over to the office of student life. There she had her picture taken for the ballot that is emailed to all students. After she got selected to represent her junior class, she was invited to the alumni dinner on the Friday before the homecoming game. On the Saturday of homecoming, before the game began, all of the selected students are announced in order of their class-leading up to the homecoming court King and Queen.   

This year’s court consists of Julia Yeager and Noah Svanvery representing the freshman class, Kelsie Shafer and Matt Cline as our Sophomore attendant and escort, Kayln Pickens and Lucas Thomeier for the Junior Class. The Senior Attendants are Jessica Mello, Blake Newman, and Whitney Webb. The Senior Escorts this year are Zac Brazen, Chris Keys, and Jason Santora.  

For more information on all the activities this week, check out the DC website at http://www.defiance.edu/student-life/activities/homecoming.html. 

Written by: Aubrey Griggs