The Homecoming Tradition
The first Homecoming was held in conjunction with the November 11, 1916, UT-Vanderbilt football game. Three hundred alumni attended, representing class years as early as 1872. The first Homecoming parade consisted of the university cadet corps in dress uniform, led by the band. The first Homecoming game proved to be exciting, as the Volunteers staged a come-from-behind upset victory, winning 10-6. President Ayres declared Monday a holiday so the celebration could
The Office of Alumni Affairs planned the very first Homecoming all those years ago and continues to lead the planning of events that invite our alumni to return to campus for Homecoming Weekend, including the popular Party in the Park event on game day.
In addition, the Office of Multicultural Student Life, Black Cultural Programming Committee, and the National Society of Black Engineers have hosted one of Homecoming’s signature events, the Annual Southeastern Stomp Fest, since 1999.
On behalf of everyone involved in the planning, we welcome alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members to join in this exciting week filled with Tennessee traditions! Go VOLS!