Homecoming drew a crowd of more than 3,000 to Warrior Field for festivities and football
Warrior Field was a sea of black and gold on Saturday, September 21 for Homecoming, featuring the annual Battle of Waterloo football game.
More than 3,000 alumni, staff, students and community members filled the grandstands to cheer on the Warriors in a hard-fought 39-23 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks.
Formerly Alumni Black and Gold Day, Homecoming is more than a football game for many alumni like Eric Celentano (BSc ’79). It’s a chance to connect with the University of Waterloo community.
“You see a real mix in the crowd from students through to graduates from the 60s and 70s,” said Eric who has been attending alumni game days and events for the past decade. Eric is also a member of the UWaterloo Alumni Council.
“The best part of the day is catching up with people you know and meeting new people. It becomes a network.”
In the Parking Lot Party before the game, the smell of popcorn and barbecued food filled the air as alumni and families played lawn games, captured memories at a photo booth and sang along to live music from The Alibi, an alumni band.
Popular stops for alumni at Homecoming were an archival photo wall in the Parking Lot Party and a Warriors memorabilia display in the Warriors Fan Zone, curated by the Library’s Special Collections & Archives.
When Scott Ryan (BMath ’86) browsed through photos, he was reminded of the opening of Federation Hall, where he worked as a student.
“It was a major concert venue for the area. The most noteworthy performance was David Wilcox, he came almost every year.”
As a former football player, Scott was excited to return to campus for Homecoming and show his support for the Warriors team.
"It's great to reconnect with old friends,” says Scott. “I’ve run into a couple guys I played football with and hopefully I’ll see a few more.”
An enthusiastic group of more than a dozen classmates from the graduating class of 1974 were cheering from the Warriors Fan Zone tent.
The group reunites every five years for UWaterloo alumni events. Among them was Murray Hale (BSc ’74).
"It makes you feel a bit younger to be on campus."
Murray was one of only a few alumni who dared to don a vintage varsity jacket on the warm September day, but nothing could keep him from honouring his late friend and running mate.
“I’m wearing Dave Northey’s jacket today,” said Murray as he proudly showed it off. “We were friends when we attended Waterloo in the 70s and he was a championship runner.”
Dave Northey, a former student and staff member at Waterloo, passed away in 2017. Teammates, friends and runners raised money for a memorial rock in his honour which is located on Waterloo’s north campus.
For alumni who are eager for their next chance to return to campus, Reunion 2025 is happening on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7.
Alumni events are happening year-round all around the world. Find an event near you by browsing our alumni events.
