Start your Homecoming visit at the Hurd
Whether you’re a Homecoming regular or this is your first trip to campus in years, you’ll want to start your Baylor Homecoming experience this year at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center.
The Hurd will serve as “Homecoming headquarters” for visitors this week, with Baylor staff on hand Friday and Saturday to answer questions and help you connect with school/college/campus events — plus a host of activities, photo ops, student performances and more for Bears of all ages.
On Friday, doors open at 8 a.m. (for the Hurd as well as the Baylor Spirit Shop and Varsity Coffee & Soda inside). Programming runs from 4-8 p.m. and includes:
- Student performances (musical theatre, Heavenly Voices, Baylor Dance)
- A pop-up Vintage T-Shirt Shop (featuring classic Baylor logos)
- Special presentations (learn about live mascots Indy & Belle, and Baylor/Waco’s history with Columbian mammoths)
- Auditorium shows (featuring student film festival winners, Baylor+ features, and Athletics Q&As)
- Meet-and-greet with the U.S. Air Force flyover crew
- An art exhibit featuring works by Baylor students, faculty and alumni
- Make-and-take crafts for the kids
- Free snacks (including a special Dr Pepper Hour from 6-7 p.m.)
- Friday Night Huddle (inflatables, yard games, and student-athlete autograph signings)
Then when you’re ready to head on to the rest of campus, Third Street (running in front of Moody Library) will connect the Hurd to Fountain Mall with a “living yearbook” cafe stroll, featuring displays highlighting Baylor history down the years.
[Click here for a full “Homecoming at the Hurd” schedule of events.]
The Hurd will also be open on Saturday until near kick-off (8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). A variety of food trucks will be selling their offerings just outside the Hurd all morning, while auditorium shows will feature the best of Baylor+ and student film festival winners. After the parade, guests can enjoy a 360-degree photo booth and student performances from the After Dark talent show, and kids can make their own Homecoming mums (while supplies last).
And that’s just what’s happening inside the Hurd! Countless other Homecoming events — from Pigskin, the bonfire, parade and football game to smaller campus/departmental events — will be hosted all across campus. Check the full Homecoming schedule for a complete listing.
Sic ’em, Homecomers!