How Homecoming strengthens the Baylor-Waco connection
For over a century, Baylor has hosted its annual Homecoming. Alumni from all over the world return to Waco for the weekend — for the bonfire, Pigskin, the parade, the football game, and to celebrate and reunite with those who also bleed green and gold.
At the same time, Waco locals are also prepping for the country’s oldest homecoming celebration. Many are Baylor graduates, but many others (despite connections to other schools) have adopted Baylor as their hometown team.
From a young age, Wacoans — some of them destined to grow up and become Bears themselves — attend Homecoming events, decked out in Baylor gear and throwing a sic ’em right alongside alumni and students. Teachers and businesses alike hang Baylor flags, and many Wacoans wear green and gold on Spirit Fridays.
This week, countless Waco families will pile kids into cars, decked out in Baylor colors and temporary tattoos, to catch a glance at the Sailor Bear balloon on Saturday morning (either in downtown Waco, or on campus), then cheer alongside Baylor alumni during the football game against OSU.
It’s an extension of the special connection Baylor and Waco have shared for almost 140 years, ever since the university moved to Central Texas in 1886. That relationship shines year-round — from the local food trucks students enjoy on Fountain Mall, to the green and gold found in nearly every store — but it finds its focus at Homecoming.
Sic ’em, Wacoans!
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