“Maskerade in Hollywood” Homecoming festivities kick off for GSW on Feb. 15

Georgia Southwestern State Univsersity (GSW) will celebrate Homecoming during the week of Feb. 15-20. This year’s theme, “Maskerade in Hollywood,” was developed by student leaders as a “play” on the necessity of mask-wearing mixed with Hollywood elegance. 

Members of the community and GSW alumni are invited to attend all Homecoming events throughout the week, unless otherwise noted, to show off their Hurricane pride. *Please note masks are required inside all GSW buildings and practice social distancing at all times.

Homecoming week will kick off for students Monday evening with the announcement of Class Representatives by the Student Government Association followed by a bonfire at the GSW Lakehouse.

The Masked Singer competition will take place Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Storm Dome featuring students, faculty, and staff performing while keeping their identities a secret.

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, a community-wide blood drive hosted by oneblood.org will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Storm Dome parking lot inside the big red bus.

Following the blood drive on Wednesday afternoon, the community is invited to cheer on the Hurricanes in the Storm Dome. The women’s basketball team will take on Clayton State University at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s basketball team playing at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for community members and free for students with a valid GSW ID.

On Thursday, Feb. 18, GSW will hold its annual Homecoming Golf Cart Parade. Community members are invited to line the circle drive in front of the Wheatley Administration Building at 6:00 p.m. to watch the parade and cheer on GSW student organizations. Following the parade, students will enjoy a Drive-In Movie in the Oaks parking lot.

The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the newly renovated Canes Central will take place Friday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 p.m., and those in attendance will be allowed the opportunity to walk through the new facility after the ceremony.

Homecoming activities will culminate in a busy Saturday, Feb. 20. The GSW Alumni Association will host their annual 5K and One Mile Fun Run early Saturday morning, with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. All ages are invited to participate. The overall 5K winners (male and female) will receive a $100 cash prize. Register online at gsw.edu/HoCoFunRun.

Following the Fun Run, the Homecoming Tailgate will take place at 12 p.m. in Centennial Plaza. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks in addition to the traditional free hotdogs and hamburgers sponsored by the Alumni Association.

If you're a GSW alum, stop by the Alumni tent to say hello, pick up an Aeolian magazine and alumni button, spin the wheel for prizes, update your information, and more. Alumni who register at the Alumni tent will get an armband that allows free admission into the basketball games, a free popcorn, and entry into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Braves game in June.

GSW softball will play a double header against Point University at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with free admission to both games in celebration of Homecoming. The women’s basketball team will take on North Georgia College with the game starting at 1:30 p.m, and men’s basketball will play at 3:30 p.m. Admission to basketball games is $5 for community members and free for students with a valid GSW ID.

The 2021 Homecoming King and Queen will be coronated during halftime of the men’s game.

For additional information and the full schedule of events, visit gsw.edu/homecoming.