Several Activities Planned for 2023 Northwestern Homecoming

September 27, 2023

Several high school and middle school bands joined the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ranger marching band last year for a massed band performance before the homecoming football game.

Homecoming at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, is Oct. 5-7 with several activities planned.

This year’s theme is “Rock Rangers Rock.” Up-to-date information on all things Homecoming may be found at www.nwosu.edu/homecoming including registration forms for a number of the events taking place.

Event planners continue to accept entries in the float competition for the Oct. 7 parade in downtown Alva that will begin at 10 a.m.

Entry forms and float sketches must be submitted no later than Oct. 4 by noon. To encourage organizations to create floats, monetary incentives have been added. Questions may be directed to float chairman Shannon Leaper at seleaper@nwosu.edu.

Bands wishing to march in Saturday’s parade and/or participate in the 3:40 p.m. massed band during pre-game of the Ranger football game should contact Eric Burger, instructor of instrumental music and director of bands, at ehburger@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8191.

First-place winners in each class in the parade will receive a $150 award and second place will receive a $100 award. Each overall winner in each category will receive a $50 award, such as outstanding drumline. In addition, each band participating in the parade will receive a donation of $75 to help defray expenses.

The registration deadline was Sept. 26 for anyone wishing to play in the Alumni Band and receive a free Homecoming t-shirt. If interested, please go ahead and register. This year’s Alumni Band will be directed by former Northwestern band drum major Patrick Wilson. Rehearsal will begin at 2 p.m. in the band room on the third floor of Ryerson Hall.

Pre-registration for the annual Ranger Run, which is a 5K race or one-mile fun run that begins at 8 a.m. on Alva’s downtown square in front of the Rialto Theater, currently is underway as well. Fees for the events are $20 per person, and race-day registration will be $5 more. Pre-registration also can be completed in person at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. Official Homecoming t-shirts are given to each paid entry. Check-in and registration will begin at 7:15 a.m.

On Friday, Oct. 6, the Alumni Association is sponsoring its second Homecoming Medallion Hunt. The website at https://ournorthwestern.org/medallion-hunt will open at 10 a.m. where participants can receive the first clue. Solve the clues, find the medallion and win $100 in Alva Chamber Bucks.

The “Ranger Rally” Homecoming pep rally will take place at noon on Friday, Oct. 6, in Percefull Fieldhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

Alumni members of Northwestern’s baseball team will come together for an alumni baseball game at Myers Stadium on Friday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and a free hot dog meal will be provided. In case of inclement weather, the group will meet in the Dunning Performance facility just south of Ranger Field. Contact Matt Stratton at matts@alvastatebank.com or Ryan Hintergardt at ryanhintergardt@sbcglobal.net for more information.

A whole slate of events for Northwestern students also is scheduled every day during Homecoming week. Monday will be a bonfire at 8 p.m. All Ranger fans are asked to park at the Alva public pool (1402 Flynn) and join the walk to the bonfire location. On Tuesday there will be a Red Out for Ranger volleyball at 6 p.m. Free rally towels will be given away. On Wednesday, the first 75 students at Bradt’s Menagerie will be treated to free admittance with a current ID to make their way through the hay maze starting at 9 p.m. On Thursday, there will be a block party starting at 9 p.m. on the Coronado Lawn. Friday is the pep rally at noon, and on Saturday along with the Ranger Run, parade and game, the Student Government Association is playing host to a tailgate party on the intramural field from 1- 3 p.m. There will be inflatables, axe throwing, food trucks, live sports and more for everyone to enjoy.

Student clubs and offices around campus will participate in on-campus contests during Homecoming week including the annual Door and Window Decorating Contest and the Sheet and Board Decorating Contest.

The Miss Cinderella events for high school senior girls will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m. with the talent show, and the pageant portion set for Friday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m., both in Herod Hall Auditorium.

Most of Saturday morning’s events are in downtown Alva. At 8 a.m. the Ranger Run will take place, followed by the Alumni Tent opening with free donuts and coffee. Lunch on the square prepared by the Rowdy Rangers will begin after the parade on the downtown lawn. Cost is $6 or free with a current alumni membership card. The Alumni Association will have Homecoming t-shirts for sale, as well as Ranger Christmas ornaments and Ranger sportulas. Alumni also may purchase their alumni association memberships.

Leading the parade on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. in downtown Alva will be the parade marshals Darrell and Grace Wessels.

Homecoming buttons are $10 and are the main source of funding for the celebration. Buttons can be used for admission to Miss Cinderella events and the football game. As a bonus, many merchants will be offering discounts to those who make purchases at their businesses during the week of Homecoming, and one lucky button holder could win a drawing for $500 in Alva Chamber Bucks.

The football game with Harding University is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Ranger Field on Saturday, Oct. 7. After the kickoff, a drawing will take place from among the numbered Homecoming buttons and an announcement will be made over the speaker. The winner, who must be at the game and produce the drawn-numbered button, will receive $500 in Alva Chamber Bucks.

Also during halftime of the game will be the annual crowning of Ranger Royalty for Ranger King and Queen. Freshman Queen will be announced during the Ranger Royalty Banquet and recognized during halftime.

A full calendar of events, a list of Alva merchant incentives where Homecoming buttons may be used, plus other Homecoming information may be found at www.nwosu.edu/homecoming.

-NW-