Mayor Yemi Mobolade will attend the largest homecoming tailgate UCCS has ever hosted following its partnership with the mayor’s Colorado Springs 1,000 Neighborhood Gathering initiative.
The city of Colorado Springs launched the initiative on May 18 in response to declining community mental health. It delivers on one of the mayor’s action items: “to enhance the City’s work through community partnerships and engagement with a focus on mental health,” a Colorado Springs news release said.
The homecoming events and initiative will kick off Thursday at 6 p.m. in Lot 580 and will feature food vendors, live music, a student band, activities and tabling for clubs and organizations, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy campus together.
“There’s just going to be a lot of energy, activity and volume happening,” said Brad Bayer, senior executive director for Student Life and Assessment.
Mobolade and his initiative partnered with UCCS to engage the Colorado Springs community and encourage connection with campus, students, alumni and community members, according to Bayer. With the initiative ending Saturday on National Good Neighbor Day, the homecoming tailgate will be one of the final 1,000 neighborhood gatherings.
Bayer said SGA and the Chancellor’s Office met with Mobolade to develop a concept for a neighborhood gathering on campus. “[They] just brainstormed creatively about when, where and how this might work, and thought, ‘with other campus partnerships, let’s bring this into when we have homecoming on campus,’” he said.
Bayer said these events give the community opportunities to grow closer and enjoy time with one another through the fun events and activities provided.
After the tailgate, the men’s soccer team will face off against the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks from 7-8:30 p.m. at Mountain Lion Stadium followed by the annual bonfire from 9-11 p.m. in Lot 580, which will have free t-shirts, firepits, s’mores kits, hot chocolate and lemonade.
Student Life is expecting a big turnout, as attendance rates for student life activities have seen a 93% increase in attendance since the beginning of the fall semester, Bayer said.
“I think we’re always trying to build engagement. We’re always working on that, and homecoming is a nice time to do it,” Bayer said.
Students can find more information about the Homecoming Kickoff events on Mountain Lion Connect and the UCCS Instagram page.
Graphic courtesy of UCCS Alumni and Friends Association.