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Homecoming 2020 Announcement

Story at a Glance

  • OSU Homecoming 2020 will not be hosted due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The centennial Homecoming celebration has been postponed until fall 2021
  • This decision is unrelated to the planned football game against Texas Tech on Oct. 31

Full Story

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OSU Alumni Association will be unable to host the 2020 edition of America’s Greatest Homecoming. The centennial celebration originally scheduled for Oct. 26-31 will now be planned for fall 2021.

The health and safety of Cowboy Family members are the top priority of the Alumni Association. This decision was made by the Alumni Associations Board of Directors after careful consideration and collaboration with Oklahoma State University, OSU Athletics, OSU Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and the City of Stillwater. It is unrelated to the planned football game against Texas Tech on October 31.

“The Alumni Association understands the yearly return to the campus is a highlight for many OSU alumni and fans,” said Tony LoPresto, Alumni Association board chair. “While we understand this decision will disappoint many Cowboys, we want to ensure Homecoming events can be enjoyed in a safe manner and that the centennial celebration is hosted in such a way that is representative of this one-of-a-kind OSU tradition.”

This announcement pertains only to Homecoming festivities hosted by the Alumni Association, including the Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-Off, Hester Street Painting, Walkaround, Homecoming and Hoops, and the Sea of Orange Parade. Due to the nature of these events, the Alumni Association would not be able to accurately monitor capacity or social distancing measures for the tens of thousands of alumni and students who regularly attend them.

“OSU’s nationally recognized Homecoming event is entirely student run, and a number of measures have been put in place for the fall 2020 semester to protect students both on and off campus,” said Rob McInturf, Alumni Association president. “These measures are vital to our students’ well-being, and we did not want to compromise their health for the Homecoming experience. America’s Greatest Homecoming is worth the wait.”

On-campus events specifically for students as well as virtual events for alumni are being considered as alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are currently evaluating the status of all our fall events, including those held on game days. As decisions are made, they will be posted on the Alumni Association’s website ORANGECONNECTION.org.
The Alumni Association appreciates all the donors who have supported the Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment. Funds will only be utilized for student-specific events, and funds not utilized this year will be reinvested to continue to grow the endowment for 2021 and beyond.
The decision was made by Alumni Association leadership after close consultation with the OSU Office of the President, the OSU Division of Student Affairs, OSU Athletics, OSU Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and the City of Stillwater.
We are looking at safe, alternative events to celebrate the Cowboy spirit on campus for students during the week of Oct. 26. We are also looking at possible virtual events or activities alumni and fans can participate in from home throughout the fall. As plans are finalized, they will be posted on the Alumni Association website at ORANGECONNECTION.org.
The Alumni Association and Homecoming Executive Team will be working closely with all the student groups who participate in Homecoming to answer any questions related to this year’s events and plan for next year. While we will not be hosting the traditional Homecoming events this year, we are planning several opportunities for students to celebrate our Cowboy spirit during the week of Oct. 26.
The tentative plan is to host it in the fall of 2021. The exact date will not be determined until the Big 12 Conference releases next year’s conference schedule, which usually happens later in the year.
The Alumni Association is not responsible for the personal costs incurred for travel or lodging for Homecoming. We encourage you to work with your travel or lodging provider for reimbursement or credit toward a future flight or stay.

The health and safety of Cowboy Family members are the top priority of the Alumni Association. OSU’s nationally recognized Homecoming event is entirely student run, and a number of measures have been put in place for the fall 2020 semester to protect students both on and off campus. These measures are vital to our students’ well-being, and the Alumni Association will not compromise their health for the Homecoming experience.

In addition, many of the Homecoming events are not ticketed, including Walkaround, Homecoming and Hoops, Hester Street Painting and the Sea of Orange Parade. We would not be able to accurately monitor capacity or social distancing measures at the events, all of which are vital to a true OSU Homecoming experience. We want all Cowboys to be able to experience our Homecoming celebration in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Contact the OSU Alumni Association at info@orangeconnection.org or 405.744.5368.
The decision to not host OSU's traditional Homecoming events in 2020 was made independent of any decisions regarding the football game. OSU Athletics administration were consulted about the decision.
For two years during World War II, Homecoming was combined with other campus events, including Mom and Dad’s Days.

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