Your Guide to Homecoming '23

There’s so much to love when it comes to UM-Dearborn in the fall. Campus walks have a scenic background of color-changing leaves. The McKinley Cafe makes pumpkin spiced lattes. You can get cozy with a good book and a weighted blanket (go to the info desk to check one out) at Mardigian Library.

And then there’s our favorite thing about fall at UM-Dearborn: Homecoming.

“Homecoming is a great time for us to come together and show our pride as Dearborn Wolverines,” said Campus Wide & Family Programs Coordinator Jennifer Kowalczyk. “It’s a chance to get out and connect with each other, cheer for our students and make new memories.”

With Homecoming Week starting on Monday, we’ve rounded up some can’t-miss events happening around campus.

Something old — well, traditional

The week of events will consist of campus favorites from years past that will give you a reason to shout “Go Blue!” and get a  “Go Dearborn!” in return!

There’s the Cardboard Boat Race at 1 p.m. Monday at Chancellor’s Pond. It’s fun to see how students decorate their boats built out of cardboard and duct tape. And everyone has a good time cheering for boats to stay afloat while their student captains speed across the water

Another mainstay of the week is the Homecoming Tailgate. There will be free food, music, games, prizes and more starting at 5 p.m. Friday on the Renick UC Patio. Prior to the event, you can watch the Women's Ice Hockey team face off against Concordia University at 3 p.m. Following the tailgate, everyone can cheer on the Women's Volleyball team as they take on Madonna University at 7 p.m. Both games are free and in the Fieldhouse.

There’s also word on the maize and blue streets that Bruce the Goose, UM-Dearborn’s school spirit friend, is flying in to get photos with fans.

Something new

Traditions are wonderful, but sometimes change is even better.

UM-Dearborn has two great hockey teams. So it makes sense for the student vs. alum game to take place on the ice. A rink-based Maize and Blue Broomball game is replacing the Maize and Blue Bowl flag football game. Broomball is similar to ice hockey in its formation and rules, but players — who hold broom-shaped sticks — wear rubber-soled shoes instead of skates and hit a ball instead of a puck. The game will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fieldhouse.

If you are a student or alum, sign up to play. 

Something maize and something blue

Since Homecoming is all about school spirit and getting involved, UM-Dearborn’s Maize Fest — which takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday on the RUC patio — showcases many of our campus student organizations . In addition, participants can play games, test their golf prowess with putt putt golf, make Build-A-Bear inspired snuggle friends, and more. While enjoying the atmosphere, you can also grab some snacks and a slice of pizza.

Of course we can’t leave out the Big House game. Michigan Football faces off against Rutgers at noon Saturday, Sept. 23. Tickets to the game are sold out, but you can still attend the Alumni Territory Tailgate at UM-Ann Arbor’s Ferry Field. The ticketed event is catered by Slows Bar BQ. Prefer to wave that foam finger from home? Check out the game on the Big Ten Network.

For the complete list of homecoming event dates and times, please visit umdearborn.edu/homecoming.