Homecoming returns to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Nov. 9-15, inviting current students, alumni and fans to celebrate the history and traditions that make Rocky Top home sweet home.
This year’s theme, Torchbearers and Trailblazers, honors the icons and people who have been ingrained into the fabric of the UT community.
VFL Butch Wilmore (’94) will serve as this year’s parade grand marshal. After earning his master’s degree from the UT Space Institute, Wilmore served as a United States Navy test pilot before being selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2000. He went on to fly aboard four different spacecraft and accumulate 464 days in space. Most recently, Wilmore traveled to space on the Boeing Starliner’s first crewed flight in 2024. After a spacecraft malfunction extended the mission, he spent more than nine months in orbit before returning to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 in March. He retired in August after 25 years of service. His honors include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, multiple combat medals and commendations, the NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award, UT’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and membership in the university’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Hall of Fame.
Featured Homecoming events
- Paint the Union, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2 p.m., Student Union. Participating student organizations will be assigned a glass window section of the Student Union to paint and will be judged on their creativity, design and adherence to this year’s Homecoming theme.
- Homecoming banner drop, Monday, Nov. 10, noon, Neyland Stadium. Participating student organizations and campus departments will design and create banners that will hang from Neyland Stadium throughout the week to promote this year’s Homecoming theme.
- Homecoming kickoff, Monday, Nov. 10, 2 to 4 p.m., Humanities and Social Sciences Plaza. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to kick off this year’s festivities with the long-standing tradition of dyeing the Europa and the Bull fountain orange. Guests can enjoy free food served by staff from across the Division of Student Life, pick up Homecoming T-shirts and connect with fellow Volunteers.
- Chalk Pedestrian Walkway, Monday, Nov. 10, 3 to 6 p.m. for campus departments and 5 to 6 p.m. for student organizations registered for the event, Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway. Participants will be assigned a section of the walkway to showcase their design skills in conjunction with this year’s Homecoming theme.
- Rocky Top Rally, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union 21st Mortgage Plaza. Students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy spirit items, snacks, Homecoming T-shirts and more.
- Tower of Cans, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., various locations across campus. Participating student organizations will collect canned food donations and compete to build the tallest tower. Donations benefit Smokey’s Pantry and the Knoxville community through FISH Hospitality Pantries.
- Smokey’s Howl, Wednesday, Nov. 12, Student Union Auditorium. Participating organizations perform choreographed routines in this long-standing Homecoming tradition. Show one will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and show two will run from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are required.
- The Rocky Top Dog, Thursday, Nov. 13, 6 to 8 p.m., TRECS Turf Fields. Attendees are invited to watch a relay race with a hot dog-eating component and enjoy games, food trucks and more.
- Homecoming football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 4:15 p.m., Neyland Stadium. UT will host New Mexico State University for this year’s Homecoming football game. With Veterans Day earlier in the week, the matchup is also designated as the annual Salute to Service game and will feature moments to honor the nation’s service members and veterans along with their families.
Homecoming parade and Little Vol Walk
The annual Homecoming parade is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14. The parade will start on Volunteer Boulevard across from Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium, proceed north toward Circle Park for judging, and end down Peyton Manning Pass in front of Neyland Stadium. A map of the parade route is available online.
Alongside student organizations, campus units and community partners, kids ages 10 and under will join the parade in the Little Vol Walk.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)