Homecoming
Homecoming 2023
Our 2023 edition of the Homecoming Alumni Band is going to be fantastic! Barry L. Houser has put together an exciting show, selection of stands tunes, and a well-planned social experience for all of our band alumni. We look forward to seeing you again.
WHO IS COMING? Check out this link to see the list of who signed up and plans to return to campus from homecoming this year!
You can choose how you want to participate—See below for more information!
PRELIMINARY Homecoming 2023 Schedule
(exact times are subject to change)
Homecoming Schedule | Friday, October 20
Please note: ALL Friday activities are OPTIONAL
Friday Parking; Please refer to the Parking map in the Google Drive for free Friday Parking locations near State Farm Center. Golf carts will be providing transportation from the corner of KIRBY and FOURTH between 11:45 am – 1:30 PM to Harding Band Building.
12:00 PM Registration Opens – Please check Harding Band Building (HBB) doors for information. At registration, you will receive:
Name tags
Instruments
Flip Folders
Parade t-shirts
Extra Game tickets
Extra Friday Night Social wristbands
Wrist bands for registered Alumni to attend the Friday Night Social
1:45 PM All: Gather in HBB rehearsal room for a brief Welcome and introductions and business meeting.
2:20 PM Alumni Band Welcome and Opening Rehearsal + Registration Closes - See Friday Evening and Saturday AM registration details below.
Alumni Colorguard rehearsal at the Armory.
Illinettes rehearsal at ARC and Drumline rehearsal outdoors at HBB (Northside).
All other sections' Rehearsal and favorite tunes at HBB
4:00 PM Snack time! Grab a snack and head to the Parade starting at 1st & Kirby. LIMITED transportation is available. If you are attending the Friday Evening Social, you may move your car to the Conference Center parking at the iHotel. We recommend moving your car early as the Conference Center will be very busy on Friday!
5:30 PM Parade step-off (Time subject to change). Note: Large instruments (Sousaphones, Drums, Flags, etc. may be stored in the Horseshoe at Memorial Stadium. Please meet at the South Entrance IMMEDIATELY following the parade for access.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Alumni Band registration at the iHotel. Pick up your “stuff” in front of the Illini Ballroom if you are unable to join the afternoon registration/rehearsal.
7:00-9:00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL Alumni and Friends celebration at iHotel, Illinois Ballrooms B/C. Don’t miss the Chip McNeill Jazz Quartet and a fun trip back in time to the 1984 Rose Bowl!
Evening features an OPEN BAR (Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks), SLIDER BAR and entertainment! Thanks to our sponsors: Illinois Bands and University of Illinois Alumni Association for your help in providing this fun evening for our Alumni Band.
10:00 PM Friday Night Hype at the Alma Mater | At the Alma Mater, corner of Wright and Green
Homecoming Schedule | Saturday, October 21
(All times tentative, the following is based on a 2:30 kick-off, this has NOT been confirmed)
Saturday Parking; Complimentary Parking near the stadium is VERY LIMITED. See Parking information below if you will be driving to campus and do not have reserved parking for the game.
7:15 am – 8:15 am – Golf carts will be picking up along Pennsylvania Ave. between Sixth and Dorner
7:30 AM Alumni Band Registration opens at Memorial Stadium
8:45 AM FEET ON THE FIELD — Alumni Band Rehearsal – Memorial Stadium (mandatory for those who will be marching on the field).
9:00 AM Rehearsal begins…we will learn pregame and halftime dots, music, and choreography
11:00 AM Rehearsal concludes - everyone must exit Zuppke Field and enter Section 131 for seating assignments and announcements. Lunch will be delivered and served at Memorial Stadium
1:40 PM March out to the Stadium from the Armory
2:00 PM Alumni Band Pregame Performance in Memorial Stadium
● Run On, Revised Entrance, and Oskee from the Hold off the field
2:35 PM Kickoff !
Halftime performance
Post-game march-out from Memorial Stadium to the Education Building for our traditional post-game concert
Participation
You may participate in a variety of activities offered—whatever appeals to you. Please see the registration site to customize your selection of activities.
Uniforms
Illinettes—Saturday Uniform: Illinettes will wear a custom t-shirt and black yoga pants.
Please email Alumnettes@gmail.com for more information.
Colorguard—Orange Illini t-shirt and black yoga pants. Please contact Maureen Durack at maureen.durack2@gmail.com for more information.
2023 Grads—In lieu of the Alumni uniform, you may wear your old MI jackets, caps and blue warm-ups or DARK blue jeans. PLEASE WEAR AN ORANGE POLO!
For all other participants, the uniform will consist of the following:
FRIDAY
Blue MI warm-ups or DARK blue jeans
Dark blue with no logo or Alumni Band jacket (see Saturday uniform information below) if needed
Orange Alumni Band polo or Alumni Association t-shirt if available.
SATURDAY
BLUE Alumni Band Jacket or MI jacket
Orange Alumni Band polo or orange MI or similar polo for 2022 grads
MI blue warm-ups or DARK blue jeans—NO khaki pants
In general, the Band Alumni will maintain a uniform and neat appearance. Please note that we are subject to the requirements of the University as they apply to the Marching Illini members. This includes NO CHIEF clothing or items when participating in Band Alumni activities and performances.
OPTIONAL Alumni Logo Clothing link Please note that all orders must be placed by SEPTEMBER 30 to be ready for pick-up at Homecoming. Alumni Logo clothing is NOT required for participation, please see below for more information on the Alumni Uniform.
Alumni Band Instruments
Mellophones, Baritones, Sousaphones, and Drumline instruments will be provided to those who need to check one out for the weekend. This will take place on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning during registration. Please indicate whether you need to borrow an instrument during the online registration process.
Seating & Tickets
The Alumni Band will receive complimentary tickets from the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for your contribution to the Game Day atmosphere in Memorial Stadium. In addition, the DIA will provide tickets for family and friends in the stands behind the Alumni Band at a discount per ticket. These must be purchased during the registration process.
Late ticket purchase, or other ticketing options, are available via the Illini ticket office.
Parking and Transportation
Friday parking is available via metered locations throughout campus (recommended). Complimentary parking is available near State Farm Center (see Google Drive map). Golf carts will be picking up at Fourth & Kirby from 11:30 am – 1:30 PM to Harding Band Building. Parking at the iHotel Conference Center is complimentary after 4:00 pm for those attending the Social.
LIMITED Saturday parking is provided using the bagged spots along Pennsylvania Avenue this is on a “first come-first served” basis. YOU MUST DISPLAY A PARKING PASS in your windshield. This pass is available for printing in the General Information folder on the Homecoming Google Drive.
Guaranteed or alternate Saturday parking arrangements (recommended) may be made on the Campus Reservation system at:
University of Illinois Memorial Stadium Parking | Find Parking | ParkMobile
Questions?
Email us at uibandsalumni@gmail.com for more information.