AMELIE SEDLACK / FEATURE EDITOR

Halfway through the semester and in the midst of midterms, USD hosted Homecoming Weekend with events for both students and alumni. Over the weekend of Oct. 10–12, USD students also welcomed their parents and families to campus. 

USD sophomore Andrea Tricio’s family came to visit the previous weekend, but she still liked the time of Homecoming weekend — explaining that it was a nice break before the stressful week of midterms. 

“For many students — with midterms and stuff — this is kind of a break from the stress of school,” Tricio said. 

While some students appreciate a weekend or two with their family throughout the semester, others have a more set cadence of time together.

Friday’s events included the Alumni and Student Festival, the Evening Under the Stars – Wild West Fest and finally the Big Blue Bash. The Festival was from 5 – 7:30 p.m. and was located across Maher Circle, Torero Way and Plaza de San Diego. The event served food and drinks, had a beer garden for those over 21, and had carnival games for students, their families and friends to play.

USD first-year Felix Pineda attended the festival with his mom and enjoyed having the time to spend time and talk with her. 

“It was just me and my mother so we got to catch up a lot and I got to talk to her,” Pineda said. “I haven’t seen her in a couple weeks … It was really great to see her again because we haven’t had a sit down conversation in a while. Sure we can call and see each other and stuff but it wasn’t a long enough time where we could really connect together.”

The Evening Under the Stars – Wild West Fest, located in the UCs and O’Toole’s from 7 – 10 p.m., asked attendants to wear Western attire. There were also casino games, line dancing lessons and a silent auction throughout the event. These were fundraisers to help raise money for the Torero Student Support Fund which helps students who are in danger of dropping out due to unexpected financial hardship. 

USD first-year Courtney Finkbeiner is from Washington and this weekend was the first time she saw her parents since Olé Weekend. She talked about the events she was planning to attend and what she will do with her parents in San Diego. 

“We’re going to do the Wild West [event],” Finkbeiner said. “I’m excited to see them. I’ll probably just spend time with them, go to the Farmer’s Market, go to the beach.”

The next big thing was the Big Blue Bash with student openers and headliner Malcom Todd spanning from 6:30 – 10 p.m. on Torero Way. 

Mikaela Takeya, a USD first-year, does not have family coming but still sees Homecoming weekend as an opportunity to spend time with her friends. 

“I might go to the Malcom Todd event, just for the vibe,” Takeya said. 

USD sophomore Bronwyn Jacobs Walker went to Friday’s events with her friends as her family was unable to come down for the weekend. 

“I just went with all my friends and their siblings who came and visited,” Jacobs Walker said. “It was fun. It was a good way to hang out with people. I thought all of the performers were really good. I really liked the opener — she was great.” 

Saturday’s events included the Homecoming Brunch and Torero Tailgate and various sports games. The College of Arts and Sciences Homecoming Brunch and Hoehn Gallery Tour from 9 – 11:30 a.m. was located in Founders Hall. The event provided a buffet in the French Parlor and a mimosa bar. The tour showed the new exhibits in the galleries and a look at the print room.

Later that day, the Torero Tailgate starting at 11 a.m. in Eagan Plaza provided food, drinks and beer and preceded the women’s volleyball game at 12 p.m. and the football game at 2 p.m. 

USD football fans cheer on the team over Homecoming Weekend. Photo courtesy of @uofsandiego/Instagram

River Abenroth, a USD sophomore on the football team, lives in San Diego but is still excited for his family to watch him play for Homecoming Weekend. 

“I play football so I have a game and I think it will be fun to have my family there to watch,” Abenroth said. 

Sunday’s events included the Alumni and Family Mass and the Champagne Brunch. The Alumni and Family Mass and Food Drive at 10 a.m. invited all attendants to bring food and supplies to donate to the USD Pantry which works to support current students experiencing food insecurity. 

Pineda also attended the Sunday mass with his parents and reflected on the Homily. 

“My favorite event – I really like the Sunday mass today,” Pineda said. “The homily was really good. The vibe was just amazing. I go to the Wednesday Peace masses and pretty much every single Sunday mass and this one was really different – it was really good.”

USD alumna and former cheerleader Maddy Mai-Prasarnsuk returned to USD for Homecoming Weekend to see her old teammates and coach. She reflected on her time at USD. 

“It was busy this weekend but it was good to see everyone,” Mai-Prasarnsuk said. “It’s good to see my old team and coach. A lot of people from my grade who were engineering or are doing their masters are still on campus so I got to see them too. A bunch of my friends still live in San Diego so we – it’s actually a lot of cheer alumni – so three of us went together. It was good [to be back on campus]. It makes me miss it for sure. I was telling my friends today nothing but great things. I would redo it again in a heartbeat.” 

Mai-Prasarnsuk continued to reflect on her time during Homecoming Weekend. 

“I think Homecoming Weekend at other schools is a lot bigger and it’s a big thing for alumni to come back, too,” Mai-Prasarnsuk said. “I think that part of the reason I came back is a lot to do with my old team … So it’s kind of like an excuse for me to come back. I thought USD did a great job. Homecoming was really fun. From what I’ve seen this year there’s been a really big push marketing strategy wise to get people to come back for school spirit overall so I think that’s cool especially coming from a cheer background. That’s what I love to see. I’ll come back in a heartbeat anytime.”

While it’s easy for students to pass through the festival or stop by the Big Blue Bash on their way through campus, for alumni living away from school, it could be harder to come for a weekend in the middle of the semester. 

Mai-Prasarnsuk spoke on the timing of Homecoming Weekend. 

“It really depends on when you started your job.” Mai-Prasarnsuk said. “I think timeline wise it is a good period for early alumni for those who have jobs it gives us time to get settled … It’s just dependent on what kind of job you got, when you’re starting. But I don’t think it’s anything you have to make accommodations for. Especially if you’re somewhat local like myself it’s easy to just make the drive after work on Friday.” 

Whether students visit home often or only see family for holidays, Homecoming Weekend offered some students a chance to see their family again before the stress of midterms takes over. Even if family does not come or comes at a different time, many Toreros see Homecoming Weekend as a fun time to spend with friends instead. Events are held for all ages of Toreros, whether past or present as Alumni also get to revisit their alma mater.

USD students, parents and alumni attend the tailgate before attending the sporting events. Photo courtesy of Eva Ng