Homecoming
Homecoming Schedule
Homecoming is right around the corner, and we have an amazing week planned for our students, staff, families, and alumni!
Monday, October 26
11 a.m. | Bucs Serve | Reflection Pond
CSU Students, join us as we kick off Homecoming Week by giving back to our community! Bucs Serve 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27
TBD | Kickball Tournament | Intramural Field
Hosted by Campus RecreationCSU Students come out, compete, and have some fun in this tourney at the Intramural Field!
Wednesday, October 28
11 a.m. | Homecoming Chapel | Lightsey Chapel
Join us for a meaningful Homecoming Chapel as we gather to worship, reflect, and celebrate God’s faithfulness across generations of Buccaneers.
Our featured speaker, Jarod Davis, is the International Mission Board’s Globalization Strategy Director. With a passion for reaching unreached people groups around the world, Davis works to help Asian churches send their own missionaries to serve alongside the IMB. He is passionate about the unique opportunities God is creating through national partners to reach people who may be difficult for Americans to reach.
The chapel service will also include the presentation of the 2026 Alumni Awards, honoring Buccaneers whose lives and work reflect the impact of a Charleston Southern education.
12 p.m. | Homecoming Court & Rep Your Org | Lightsey Chapel
CSU Students, meet your Homecoming Court and represent your student organization immediately following Chapel.
12 p.m. | Alumni Awards Luncheon | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Join us as we gather to celebrate the 2026 Alumni Award recipients, whose lives, leadership, service, and accomplishments reflect the values and mission of CSU. Guests will have the opportunity to gather with fellow Buccaneers, recognize this year’s outstanding honorees, and celebrate the lasting impact of the CSU family.
Thursday, October 29
6 – 8 p.m. | Alpha Dite Criterion Fraternity Reunion
This event is by invitation only.
7:30 – 9 p.m. | Lyric Theatre Fall Show | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Lyric Theatre presents a night of classic Broadway music celebrating the unforgettable team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” The revue contains over 30 songs from R&H musicals, and you’re likely to find yourself wanting to sing along! Hope you’ll join us for this trip through the Golden Age of Broadway.
8:30 p.m. | Pep Rally | Reflection Pond
Get ready to bring the energy and celebrate all things Buccaneers at the Homecoming Pep Rally! Join fellow students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans for an exciting celebration featuring Bucky, the cheerleaders, Buccaneer spirit, and plenty of Homecoming excitement.
Come ready to cheer, celebrate, and show your Buccaneer spirit as we kick off the festivities for Homecoming 2026: We Are One—One Voyage. One Family. One CSU.
Friday, October 30
12 p.m. | Reunion Luncheon | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Calling all members of the Classes of 1986, 1996, and 2006 AND all our Golden Buccaneers (Classes of 1968 through 1976). Meet us in the Whitfield Center for a special reunion in your honor!
2 p.m. | Campus Tour | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Join fellow alumni for a guided campus tour featuring familiar places, new facilities, and the spaces where today’s Bucs are learning, leading, and serving.
Whether you graduated recently or it’s been decades since you walked these campus paths, this is a great opportunity to reconnect with CSU, reminisce about your college days, and see how the university continues to grow.
Come home to CSU and see what’s changed—and what still feels like home!
6 – 7:15 p.m. | Alumni Reception | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Join alumni for a special pre-show reception before Friday night’s performance of the Lyric Theatre! Enjoy an evening of fellowship and reconnect with fellow Bucs while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres before the show.
It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate the CSU alumni community before settling in for an evening of live entertainment.
Come early, connect with fellow alumni, and make a night of it!
7 – 10 p.m. | Buctober Fair
This Sweet 16 event gets everyone into the Halloween spirit. SGA, Campus Rec, Residence Life, and CSU clubs and organizations partner to bring you Buctober Fair. There will be a costume contest, so be sure to dress your best! Let your creativity show.
7:30 – 9 p.m. | Lyric Theatre Fall Show | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Lyric Theatre presents a night of classic Broadway music celebrating the unforgettable team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” The revue contains over 30 songs from R&H musicals, and you’re likely to find yourself wanting to sing along! Hope you’ll join us for this trip through the Golden Age of Broadway.
Saturday, October 31
10 a.m. | Annual Alumni Association Meeting | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Join us for the Annual Alumni Association Meeting as we gather to celebrate alumni community and look to the year ahead. Hear updates from the Alumni Association, learn about upcoming initiatives and opportunities to stay connected, and discover how alumni can continue to engage with CSU and one another.
Alumni who attend the annual meeting will receive a ticket (voucher) for a free meal at the Tailgating tent. The big tent is making a comeback. Aramark will be serving the students there, and enrollment tailgaters will have a voucher for a meal also.
11 a.m. | Tailgating
Tailgating – stop by all the College tents to see your favorite professors and meet current students. Don’t feel like cooking? Stop by the tailgating tent for a reasonably priced meal!
12 p.m. | Christian Studies – Pastors Homecoming BBQ
Join us for a fun afternoon of BBQ, fellowship, and school spirit as we celebrate our homecoming game together. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the sharpest Christian Studies students in the lowcountry, connect with CCS faculty, and enjoy delicious food before cheering on the Bucs!
- Who: Local Pastors and their families
- What: CCS Homecoming Game BBQ Tailgate
- When: Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
- Kickoff: 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Buccaneer’s Stadium (look for the College of Christian Studies tent)
- Cost: BBQ is free (see how to purchase tickets below)
The menu features Dr. Link’s delicious smoked BBQ chicken & pulled pork, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and more.
Tickets are $10/person at the gate or you can buy tickets online here (with a small ticketing fee added.)
RSVP required, mark your calendar and plan to come out for the 2026 Christian Studies Homecoming BBQ tailgate!
12 p.m. | Christian Studies – Students Homecoming BBQ
Christian Studies Homecoming BBQ Tailgate before the Buccaneers vs Western Illinois Leathernecks game.
• Who: College of Christian Studies students• What: CCS Homecoming Game BBQ Tailgate• When: Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM• Kickoff: 2:00 PM• Where: Buccaneer’s Stadium (look for the College of Christian Studies tent)• Cost: Free
Join us for a fun afternoon of BBQ, fellowship, and school spirit as we celebrate homecoming together. This will be a great opportunity for students and faculty to connect and enjoy some delicious food before cheering on the BUCS!
The menu features Dr. Link’s delicious smoked BBQ chicken & pulled pork, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and more.
RSVP, mark your calendar and plan to come out for the 2026 Christian Studies Homecoming BBQ!
2 p.m. | Campus Tours | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Come back to campus and see what’s new at Charleston Southern University! Join fellow alumni for a guided campus tour featuring familiar places, new facilities, and the spaces where today’s Bucs are learning, leading, and serving.
Whether you graduated recently or it’s been decades since you walked these campus paths, this is a great opportunity to reconnect with CSU, reminisce about your college days, and see how the university continues to grow.
Come home to CSU and see what’s changed—and what still feels like home!
12 p.m. | Homecoming Parade | Singleton Baseball Complex
Begins at the Corner of Alumni & Buc Club Drives (Singleton Baseball Complex)
Grab your family and friends and join us for one of the most anticipated traditions of Homecoming—the CSU Homecoming Parade!
Enjoy a festive celebration featuring colorful floats, student groups, alumni, Bucky, and members of the CSU community as we make our way across campus. Cheer on the Bucs, reconnect with friends, and celebrate the spirit that brings generations of Charleston Southern alumni and friends together.
Come line the parade route and celebrate We Are One-One Voyage, One Family, One CSU!
2 p.m. | Football Game Charleston Southern vs. Western Illinois
Cheer on the Bucs as Charleston Southern takes on Western Illinois! Gather with fellow alumni, family, friends, students, and fans for an exciting day of Buccaneer football.
Come out to support the team, soak up the Homecoming atmosphere, and celebrate what it means to be part of the CSU community. Wear your blue and gold and get ready to Go Bucs!
7:30 – 9 p.m. | Lyric Theatre Fall Show | Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership
Lyric Theatre presents a night of classic Broadway music celebrating the unforgettable team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” The revue contains over 30 songs from R&H musicals, and you’re likely to find yourself wanting to sing along! Hope you’ll join us for this trip through the Golden Age of Broadway.
FAQs for Homecoming
When is Charleston Southern University Homecoming 2026?
Homecoming activities will take place Wednesday, October 28 through Saturday, October 31, 2026, with events for alumni, students, families, and friends throughout the week. The main Homecoming celebration, including the parade, tailgating, and football game, will take place Saturday, October 31.
Where should I park for Homecoming?
Homecoming guests may park in the commuter parking lot near the Science Building. We recommend allowing extra time to arrive, park, and make your way to events across campus.
Do I need a ticket for the Homecoming football game?
Yes. Tickets are required for the Homecoming football game as Charleston Southern takes on Western Illinois on Saturday, October 31, at 2 p.m.
How can alumni reconnect during Homecoming?
Homecoming offers several opportunities to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and the CSU community. See detailed schedule above for more information on times and locations.
- Reunion Luncheon – Classes of 1968 through 1976, 1986, 1996, and 2006
- Campus Tours
- Lyric Theatre Fall Show
- Alumni Reception
- Annual Alumni Association Meeting
Homecoming Operation Christmas Child Collection
We’ll also be collecting items throughout Homecoming Week for Operation Christmas Child! If you would like to donate items for the shoeboxes, look for the red tent by the football stadium before and during Saturday’s game. Or you can make an online donation here.