Break out the cardinal + white, it’s UW-Madison homecoming weekend. Whether you’re a lifetime local, a fellow UW-Madison alum, or a college sports super-fan, homecoming week brings a palpable energy to the city that can’t be ignored.
Where did it begin?
The way Badger fans naturally flock together for big games caught the attention of the Alumni Association in the early 1900s. Class reunions were rescheduled from the summer months to football season in an attempt to bolster attendance.
In November of 1911, a crowd of 3,000 gathered at the gymnasium for cigars + apple cider before heading to Camp Randall to cheer on the Badgers. Today, this is considered the conception of the university tradition.
Every year since, festivities have grown. (Think: State Street parades, frat row house decoration contests, and even a short-lived giant bonfire tradition.)
Let’s make it a safe + fun homecoming weekend, get involved and go Badgers.
