BGSU Homecoming 2023 was an opportunity to strike up the band and celebrate a century of music by the Falcon Marching Band as well as welcome home alumni as the University provided ample opportunities to both reminisce and create new memories. From recognizing a new class of distinguished BGSU alumni, to bed races and the Welcome Back block party, to celebrating philanthropy and dedicating Mitchell B. McLeod Hall, fun at Falconland and fireworks and cannon blasts at halftime, the 101st Homecoming at BGSU was one for the record books.

University photographers Craig Bell, Justin Camuso-Stall '14, Haven Conn '22 and Campbell Holben '23 along with student photographers Luke Allen and Nico Kvalheim captured the fun and festivities of the four-day homecoming extravaganza.

Bed Races

The Office of Residence Life held the always-popular Bed Races, inviting groups of five students to coordinate and race for prizes awarded for speed, spirit and style.  This year marked a decade of one of the most unique BGSU traditions.

Academy of Distinguished Alumni Induction Ceremony

Newly minted BGSU Academy of Distinguished Alumni honorees spent time with Bowling Green State University students, faculty, staff and community members during homecoming weekend, sharing stories from their lives and storied careers during their time on campus ahead of their induction ceremony.

Read more about the honorees.

Welcome Back Party and Concert on the Lawn

A BGSU band concert was one of the many highlights on Friday during the Welcome Back Party. Homecoming guests were treated to the concert as well as the Circus Thrill Show and a movie under the stars.

Freddie & Frieda 5K

Falcons dashed in and around campus during the 5K run on Saturday morning. The top male finisher was Bowling Green's own Nick Long with a time of 16:53:13. The top female finisher was Jess Kiss, also from Bowling Green, with a time of 23:27:59. There were 105 total finishers.

McLeod Hall Dedication

The University hosted the official renaming of the Mathematical Sciences Building to Mitchell B. McLeod Hall during Homecoming 2023, showing appreciation for the generous contributions made by two esteemed BGSU alumni and Falcon Flames, Mitch McLeod '85 and Julie McLeod '85.

"My experiences in this building helped pave the way for my future employment as a cryptanalytic mathematician at the National Security Agency. This naming opportunity is a true honor,” Mitch McLeod said.  

Falconland

Homecoming guests flocked to this perennial favorite to take part in a host of activities that took part on the Bowen-Thompson Quadrangle, the Union Oval and Mitchell B. McLeod Hall. Participants enjoyed a complimentary BiG Breakfast, played mini golf and giant games, snapped photos at the selfie station by the BGSU letters, took part in a Creativity Quest at the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design, watched Falcon Marching Band halftime performance videos, created pottery in the Kids Zone and more.

BGSU vs. Ohio Football Game

The Falcon faithful turned tailgate park orange as they thronged the lawns to mix and mingle, watch the massive turnout from the Falcon Alumni Band and cheer as the Falcons took on the Bobcats at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. The tailgate, pregame Preflight and halftime performances by the Falcon Marching Band and alumni were goosebump-inducing presentations for the ages as the program marked a century of marching band at BGSU.

Ay Ziggy Zoomba!

A Century of Falcon Marching Band

With the Falcon Marching Band's long history and the University's reputation as a destination for future music educators, the Falcon Marching Band generates a large and passionate alumni band membership. Hundreds return to campus each year for Homecoming and alumni band reunions. This year at Homecoming, alumni band members and directors not only joined current Falcon Marching Band members for pregame but also took the field during the 100th-anniversary halftime show. The ending was a literal blast as the mass ensemble performed the finale of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture - complete with a volley of cannon fire and fireworks.

BGSU Royalty is Named