San Diego State University students are entrenched in a 116-year history of academic vitality, athletic supremacy and the unrelenting achievements of alumni.
This legacy has been cultivated by generations of Aztecs and the time has come to continue the saga. Students and alumni will unleash their inner Aztec and flaunt school spirit with pride during Homecoming Week — when red and black take over San Diego through the Rise of the Aztecs.
Tim Young, president of the Alumni Association Executive Committee, said seeing students’ contributions to the growth and strength of SDSU traditions over time is one of his favorite parts about coming back to campus for Homecoming as an alumnus.
He added that Homecoming is about more than taking part in SDSU’s deep-seated traditions, however — it also gives students a chance to create their own.
“If you’re a college student, and you come to campus for class then go home, and you do that for four years, have you really enjoyed what the college experience is all about? My answer is no. Students who got involved — those are the people who tell you college was the best part of their lives, hands down,” Young said.
The “Battle of the Oil Can” Homecoming football game is all about enjoying tradition, and Aztecs will get amped to compete against longtime rivals Fresno State with a week of spirit-resurrecting events beginning Sunday, Oct. 20.
Aztec pride festivities commence with a Homecoming Kick-off at 10 am on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Alumni Center Sunset Lawn. Root for student teams as they compete in a jog-a-thon to raise money for Aztecs Rock Hunger, then satisfy your own appetite with free food and other giveaways. Save some energy for cheering on the women’s soccer team in an afternoon home game against Nevada at the SDSU Sports Deck.
Get your Rise of the Aztecs Homecoming t-shirt (available at the bookstore beginning Oct. 1), and mark your calendar to keep up with all the events being held throughout Homecoming week.
Game day has arrived! The Homecoming football game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm and will air nationally on ESPN2.
Start the day at a pre-game carnival at Qualcomm Stadium, complete with rides, entertainment and food. Then, make your way into the stadium to watch our Aztecs take on the Fresno State Bulldogs. Student teams who accumulated the most points from the week’s competitions will be announced during halftime. The Homecoming king and queen are also crowned at halftime.
Get game day updates and purchase tickets at the Aztec Athletics website.