Homecoming 2016 is a Great Time to be a Cougar

As part of Cougars Taking Action for Homecoming, students are making and sending cards to U.S troops.

At the College of Charleston, Homecoming 2016 is a time of service, of honor and spirit – and, of course, a little friendly competition. In hopes of winning the 2016 Spirit Cup, student organizations and residence halls are working hard to accumulate points from all sorts of contests: the banner contest, the cornhole tournament, the tailgate table contest and the homecoming court elections. It’s not all sport, décor and royalty, however: Part of the competition includes the Cougars Taking Action service projects. For these projects, students are making cards for the troops and also collecting boxes of cereal for the local food bank (cards and cereal donations are due to the Stern Center Information Desk by 8 p.m., Feb. 5, 2016). The winning organization will have its name engraved along the base of the Spirit Cup, which will be displayed in the Stern Student Center lobby.

It all comes to a head on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Here’s what you need to know about the big day:

Clyde playing cornhole at the 2015 School of Business Homecoming Tailgate Party.

BEFORE THE GAME: The College of Charleston 2016 Homecoming Tailgate will include food, musical entertainment, raffles for Spirit Baskets filled with all sorts of CofC goodies as well as a photo booth, an Initial-It booth for monogramming and personalizing items and, of course, the tailgate table contest. Held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Cistern Yard (table decorating begins at 1 p.m., judging at 2:30 p.m.), the tailgate is free and open to the public – and the first 200 people to arrive will win a free long-sleeved CofC T-shirt. In case of rain, the 2016 Homecoming Tailgate will be held in the TD Arena practice gym. For more information, contact Jill Caldwell in Student Life at 843.953.8122.

Just around the corner at the Beatty Center, the School of Business Homecoming Tailgate Party will be open from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to all Cougars for the first time in six years. With the apropos theme of “Many Paths, One College,” this year’s family-friendly party will include cornhole, a three-point shoot-out with School of Business Dean Alan Shao and live performances by Bizness Suit, Charleston Vibes a capella group and the College’s own Cougarettes. There will be door prizes and free food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a cooler cabana for BYOB refreshments (with proper ID; limit one six-pack or one 750-ml bottle of wine per person). The event is $10 for alumni/guests and $5 for children (ages 3–12) and free to current students/faculty/staff with the purchase a T-shirt at the door or from the Student Success Center (Beatty Center, suite 100) between 9 a.m.–5 p.m. until Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. For ticket and registration information, visit the homecoming tailgate web page. For more information, contact Kate Caparisos in the School of Business at 843.953.3673.

DURING THE GAME: The Men’s Basketball Homecoming Game against Drexel University is the Cougars’ time to shine. The game starts at 4 p.m. at TD Arena, and the 2016 Homecoming Court and the Spirit Cup winner will be announced at halftime. For ticket information, visit the CofCSports ticketing website.

AFTER THE GAME: Don’t miss the official Homecoming Step Show, presented by the College’s National Pan-Hellenic Council. This year’s show is titled “Stepping Grounds: Battle for the Crown.” Doors will open to the TD Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students with their Cougar Cards, $10 general admission, available at the door and on the CofC Marketplace website.

Other Homecoming 2016 Events

Wednesday, Feb. 3

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AND SWEET BAR: Stern Center Ballroom.

Thursday, Feb. 4

7:30 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME VS. TOWSON: TD Arena. Candidates for the 2016 Homecoming Court will be introduced during halftime. For, ticket information, visit the CofCSports ticketing website.

Friday, Feb. 5

6:30 p.m. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOMECOMING GAME VS. NORTHEASTERN: TD Arena. For ticket information, visit the CofCSports ticketing website.

8 to 11 p.m. COUGAR SPIRIT PARTY: Music Farm.