It’s homecoming week here at Ohio University and in Athens Ohio, it’s a holiday that rivals Christmas. There is magic in the bricks of Court Street on Homecoming weekend.
For freshmen, it is an initiation of sorts into the lifelong pride of being an Ohio Bobcat. The campus is covered in green and white, professors, faculty, and upperclassmen are abuzz with the excitement of the upcoming weekend, and alumni from near and far are making their plans to come hOUme.
Bobcat pride is one of the best parts about attending OU. Nationwide, Bobcat alums are proud to don their green and white and cheer for their alma mater. Often, I will be hours from Athens wearing an OU shirt and get stopped by fellow Bobcats to reminisce on their time at Ohio U and be wished well in my remaining years here.
They say that college is supposed to be the best time of your life, and at OU, that rings true. Why else would alumni love coming back so much? Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all fun nights on Court Street and mornings at Donkey Coffee during your four years here. It is also full of long nights of studying, sometimes failed exams, years of self-doubt and discovery, and friends old and new. But those friends and the memories we make here are what make it so great.
The atmosphere in Athens during Homecoming weekend is full of enthusiasm and pride. This week, the official Ohio University Twitter is even doing daily OU gear giveaways to build excitement for Homecoming. Be sure to put their tweet notifications on for a chance to win (@OhioBobcats). My email inbox has been flooded with excited notices about Homecoming sporting events and student activities that are taking place this weekend. The main events include the Parade featuring The Most Exciting Band in the Land, the Marching 110, and the big football game to follow. Peden Stadium will surely be packed full of Bobcats past, present and future. See, it is like Christmas!
To all Bobcats making the journey hOUme this weekend, grab your favorite green and white shirt, head over to your favorite Athens coffee shop, and prepare for the best day of the year! Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat. And as always, roll bobbies!