Cornell takes the field for the Homecoming football game against Yale at Schoellkopf

The Big Red takes the field for the 2022 Homecoming game against Yale.

On a Festive Weekend, Homecoming Was Back—and Better than Ever

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Thousands flocked to Schoellkopf and its environs, infusing the beloved event with Big Red spirit

By Joe Wilensky

From football to fireworks to family fun, Homecoming took a beat from Touchdown—and came roaring back! It wasn’t just the thousands of Cornellians and their guests that suffused the Hill with energy on an often-idyllic September weekend, but a surfeit of pent-up Big Red spirit.

In the first time since 2019 that a full-scale Homecoming was held without pandemic restrictions, some 10,000 people attended—including more than 2,000 registered alumni and friends and upwards of 5,000 students.

Fireworks display at Schoellkopf for Homecoming Weekend.
Fireworks light up the night at Schoellkopf.

Big Red colors filled the Crescent Lot at the Fan Festival; the Marching Band paraded percussively through ebullient crowds before the game against Yale; the sky above Schoellkopf lit up with the traditional laser light show and fireworks; some 7,500 revelers (including Touchdown himself) boogied the night away at a deejayed dance party.

Much missed during COVID, the Fan Festival offered food, drink, and a wide variety of amusements. There were carnival games (including a Big Red version of “giant Jenga”), bear-themed temporary tattoos, and photo booths with colorful Cornell backgrounds.

Cornellians enjoy the Homecoming Big Red Fan Festival in the Crescent Lot
A van sporting massive Big Red spirit was a draw at the Fan Fest.

Visitors even had the chance to mingle with an equine celebrity: Minnie the miniature horse, the Vet College’s unofficial mascot, whose tiny hooves were bedecked with glitter for the occasion.

Among the swag-laden tables hosted by colleges, schools, and organizations was Cornellians’ own—which drew an epic queue of students and alums hoping to snag our snazzy new tote bag.

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(To those who were disappointed: we’ll bring more next year!)

Happy to Be Home: The Weekend in Photos

An energized crowd at Schoellkopf
Yell Cornell: The crowd goes wild!
Touchdown at the fireworks and laser light show
Touchdown rocks out at the dance party.
The Homecoming fireworks display is visible above Schoellkopf Stadium
Glorious to view: Fireworks over Schoellkopf.
Despite a 99-yard Cornell scoring drive in the first quarter, Big Red football ultimately lost to Yale, 38-14, for the Homecoming game at Schoellkopf
Football foes face off!
Students take in the laser light show and fireworks at Schoellkopf
Students packed Schoellkopf on Friday night.
Big Red Jenga was one of many activities at the Big Red Fan Festival in the Crescent Lot
Fans test their skill at "giant Jenga."
Spectators at the fireworks and laser light show at Schoellkopf
Ooh-ing and ah-ing at the fireworks and laser light show.
A four-legged Cornellian enjoys a quiet moment on campus during Homecoming Weekend
Fur-ever for the Big Red!
Tailgating on campus before the Homecoming football game against Yale
Tailgaters fire up the grill.
Families enjoy carnival games at the Big Red Fan Festival in the Crescent Lot
Step right up: Carnival games at the Fan Fest.
Cheerleader at the Homecoming game against Yale at Schoellkopf
Cheering the home team.
Students and alumni at the Homecoming football game against Yale
O say, can you C? Before kickoff, some spirited songs.
Big Red spirit was seen throughout the crowd at the Homecoming football game against Yale
Getting cheeky with temporary Touchdown tattoos.
Students and alumni take in the Homecoming football game against Yale at Schoellkopf
Action on the gridiron.
Alumni enjoy the Homecoming Big Red Fan Festival in the Crescent Lot
Big Red Band alumni come home to march again.
scene from the Schoellkopf crowd during the light show and fireworks display
Friends, fireworks, and fun.
Big Red Marching Band members, including this Corn-ellian, react to a play during the Homecoming game
Amid the Marching Band, a ... Corn-ellian?
Students, alumni, and families enjoy the Homecoming light show, fireworks and dance party
Though the night was chilly, fans of all ages had a blast.
The Cornell Cheer team energizes the crowd at the Homecoming game at Schoellkopf
Go team, go!
Tight end Matt Robbert ’24 during the Homecoming game at Schoellkopf
Tight end Matt Robbert ’24 makes the catch.

Cornellians also invited revelers to take part in a thought exercise we dubbed “Cornell: On the One Hand,” in which they pondered what the University means to them in five words or less—and shared it on our Post-It laden display board.

Stay tuned for the results, to be featured in an upcoming story. In fact, so many people participated—more than 400—that we ran out of Post-It notes.

(Sorry … we’ll bring more next year!)

And while Big Red football did not emerge victorious (sadly, the Bulldogs notched a decisive 38–14 win), the weekend offered more than its share of consolations—including ample portions of Cornell Dairy ice cream.

Top: The Big Red takes the field against Yale. (All images in this story by Cornell University photographers Lindsay France, Noël Heaney, Sreang Hok, Jason Koski, and Ryan Young.)

Published September 30, 2022

What are your favorite memories of Homecoming—from this year, or in decades past?

Comments

  1. Brian Hanse, Class of 1983
    2 Oct, 2022

    The laser light show and Tower Club reception were amazing. I also enjoyed reconnecting with leadership and students of CRU at Uris on Friday night. Good to be back.

    Reply

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