Homecoming at StFX is sort of comparable to if your birthday, Christmas morning and St. Patrick’s day all rolled into one. Most easily described, homecoming at StFX is the closest experience you’ll ever have to receiving your Hogwarts letter—pure magic.
Starting on Wednesday night, join me in a comprehensive look into our long standing tradition. This week will take you on a journey like never before, all leading up to an unforgettable Saturday night. Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Pre-Homecoming
The Golden X Inn
A staple a StFX that no homecoming weekend, or any week, would be complete without is Wing Night Wednesday. However, for one night of the year, this student bar is filled with not only students, but also esteemed alumni so that wisdom can be passed down, wings shared, and “casual” drinks enjoyed.
Follow your heart as well as your stomach and arrive around dinner time. You can grab wings or a burger and charge it all to DCB— thank mom and dad later. This is what being an Xaverian is all about: good food, better music and unbelievable company.
Homecoming Eve
Students across campus all have their own way of preparing for the exciting day to come. Since my arrival here at StFX, Friday has meant only one thing—Pig Roast. Year after year, the commitment of the boys on Highland has been unwavering. Buying and spit roasting a pig for all MacNeil residents and their guests. It is a twelve hour process and I’ve never had a better meal in my life.
If you don’t have your own HOCO eve plans, head back over to the Inn. The rest of the alum have arrived at this point and if you’re lucky enough, they might be willing to pick up the tab for the broke students they remember being not too long ago.
#SpoonTip: Check out the grilled cheese being sold on the way out and support Spoon StFX.
Homecoming
Whether you’re up at 6 am to throw on your blue and white and start cranking tunes, or you’re adventurous enough to head over to the morning 5km fun run, homecoming Saturday starts bright and early.
If you are choosing to start your day with plans other than the run, be it a power hour, a century club or any other form of early morning debaucheries, be careful. This is a long day, and even the most seasoned of hooligans usually take a nap at some point along the line.
Meal Hall
A rowdy atmosphere in a sea of blue and white, 11:30 am Meal Hall is not just what you want, it’s what you need. Food in your stomach is mandatory at this point if you have any hope of making it to the football game at 2 pm.
Unlike 2015, this year’s HOCO is calling for a high of 16 degrees. A couple of waters is only going to help you in the long run. Plus they’ve got pancakes, waffles and cereals to your heart’s delight. Fuel up for the long journey ahead
Football
As defending AUS champions, all StFX students and invited guests have a moral obligation to go out to support the boys as they run over SMU. Besides that, there is a beer tent at the game which is worth checking out at halftime.
Post-Football
This is a great time to stop in at what is bound to be one of countless in-town festivities going on. It is also a great chance to recharge the batteries and take a quick nap, you’ve got a few hours to kill here, use them wisely.
Night Time
For those still trekking along, Saturday night has arrived. There are several options here, stay back and have more life chats with alum (they are only here for so long), go back to the Inn one more time, head over to the event at Piper’s Pub or follow the droves of other students off campus—the choice is ultimately yours.
However, what is mandatory is the late night/early morning Wheel or Kenny’s run. Don’t bother arguing, you’re going like the true X student you are.
Homecoming weekend at StFX is truly a special time. No matter the residence, year of study or where a student comes from, on homecoming we are all Xaverians supporting each other in blue and white. You are surrounded in a little town in the middle of no where by food, spirit, love and family. What more could you ask for?