Favorite traditions, new memories and Warrior pride will swell during Merrimack College’s enhanced Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend this fall.
More than 20,000 people are expected on campus Oct. 3-5 to reconnect with old classmates, celebrate the best of Merrimack and cheer on student-athletes. Anchored by the football team’s home game against Robert Morris University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Duane Stadium, Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend will feature familiar festivities, new events and one-of-a-kind pregame experiences.
“We are pulling out all the stops,” said Courtney Johanson, senior vice president for institutional advancement and chief marketing officer. “Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend is the marquee campus event of the fall thanks to a growing enthusiasm from our alumni, students, parents, families and fans. And with the addition of Merrimack’s Reunion experience, this is a celebration Warriors past, present and future will not want to miss.”
The decision to make Reunion part of Homecoming stems from feedback from alumni as well as a continued effort to bring more graduates back to campus to experience the vibrancy of the fall semester. This year’s Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend will celebrate all alumni and feature programming specifically tailored to them.
“From meet-ups to tailgates to nostalgic campus tours and family-friendly activities, there will be countless memories waiting to be made,” Johanson added.
Macktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 3, will feature favorite food trucks, a fireworks show and performances by the Merrimack College Spirit Squad. Attendees can also expect fun new additions, including Decades at Duane, a designated meet-up area for alumni based on the decade they graduated from Merrimack; more entertainment geared toward families and kids; and the Merrimack College men’s hockey game against UMass Lowell streamed on the Duane Stadium Jumbotron.
Saturday’s pregame schedule will begin when tailgating lots open at 8:30 a.m. The day’s events also feature MackTalks by Director of Athletics Joe Foley on the future of Merrimack Athletics (10 a.m.) and the Rev. Raymond Dlugos, O.S.A., Ph.D., on the historic impact of Pope Leo XIV’s election (11 a.m.).
To further elevate the tailgating experience at Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend, and celebrate the pageantry of the Warrior spirit, the College is launching the Warrior Path.
Located in the heart of campus next to Mendel Pond and steps away from Duane Stadium, the Warrior Path marks a new era in the Merrimack College football fan experience. VIP or general admission packages are available. The Warrior Path takes the stress out of tailgating prep with a reserved parking spot, a designated tent, food, beverages, live entertainment and 10 tickets to the football game.
Aaron Mansfield, an assistant professor in the Girard School of Business whose research focuses on the psychology of sports fandom and the impact it can have on emotions and overall well-being, said strong homecoming and tailgating cultures are crucial for colleges.
“They’re fun for students, give alumni a reason to come back to town and draw the wider community to campus,” he noted. “These traditions can powerfully enhance school spirit and a college’s collective identity. They make us feel like we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves. Imagine a world where Merrimack becomes the ‘Notre Dame of the Northeast.’ Developing an emotionally invested fanbase, one with a vibrant tailgating atmosphere and robust homecoming culture would help our athletics program take a big step in this direction.”
For more information about Homecoming, Reunion and Alumni Weekend, a complete schedule, to purchase tickets and Warrior Path packages and to register for other events during the weekend, click here.
