ND: Doing Homecoming Different
Photo by Molly Kaplan ‘26
Homecoming is a long-standing and cherished tradition across the U.S. and Notre Dame is no exception. This year, the Notre Dame homecoming dance is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 from 7 to 10p.m. To celebrate, the week of Nov. 4 leading up to homecoming will feature themed dress-up days and various "Funding the Future" fundraisers, including T-shirt sales, raffle ticket sales, and exciting homecoming flag football and dodgeball games. Each grade's class council will also be selling class-themed boba drinks for the fundraiser as well.
As many would say, the most significant part of homecoming week is the dance. Notre Dame’s homecoming dance theme this year is “Mama Mia- Here we Hoco Again”. Past themes include Wish Upon a Star, City of Stars, and a fall theme back in 2021. Many students are excited for the “Mama Mia” theme this year, as it contrasts the themes of the years before, and the Mama Mia movies are undoubtedly beloved here at Notre Dame. If you don't know what you want to wear yet, the movies can be a perfect source for inspiration!
Another popular aspect of the homecoming season at Notre Dame is the homecoming games. This year, the annual dodgeball and flag football games will occur on Friday, Nov. 8 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The Sharks and Ravens, our freshmen and sophomores, will first compete in an intense game of dodgeball. Then, the Basilisks and the Stingrays will face each other in the seniors vs. juniors flag football game. Mister Softee ice cream truck will be on campus during this time for students to purchase treats as they watch their friends score touchdowns and dodge balls! Additionally, the raffle ticket winners will be drawn during the games, so make sure you get your raffle tickets in before the drawings!
Homecoming at Notre Dame happens for a variety of reasons. First, the homecoming dance is just a fun way for students to dress up and see each other outside of the normal Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. school week. Additionally, homecoming season is all about Funding The Future, a school wide initiative where each class at Notre Dame raises money throughout their four years for tuition assistance for the class that will enter Notre Dame the year after they graduate.Through fundraisers, homecoming ticket sales, and year-round donations, each class has a $3,000 goal every year. If you have not yet made any Funding the Future donations or purchases, don’t wait! There are lots of great ways to get involved.
Homecoming week is always a week full of lots of fun and excitement. Whether you are a freshman and this is your first homecoming, or a senior getting ready to celebrate your last homecoming at Notre Dame...you will no doubt be saying, "Mamma Mia!" by the end of it!
