Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2023
UNC Charlotte is gearing up for the biggest celebration of the year, Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2023!
Join in as we paint the town green during a week filled with celebrations, gatherings, performances, spirit contests and more, culminating with our signature Homecoming events.
NINER NATION WEEK Campus Scavenger Hunt
Feeling competitive? Join the Niner Nation Week Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win incredible prizes including UNC Charlotte gear and $300 worth of Niner-owned business gift cards! All of Niner Nation can earn points by participating.
Join the hunt:
- Download the Scavify app
- Create a username and password
- Join the “Niner Nation Week” hunt
- Complete tasks and start racking up points
SPIRIT DISPLAYS
Paint the campus green
To kick off the week, student involvement is blanketing the campus with spirit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9. Grab some spray chalk and stencils from the Center for Student Involvement (Popp Martin Student Union, Room 210) and help brand the All-in-C across campus to usher in Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2023!
Staff Council pride competition
UNC Charlotte Staff Council wants to see staff school spirit during Niner Nation Week! Enter as an individual or as an office to prove who has the most Niner pride on campus. Register by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6; judging is Thursday, Oct. 12.
EVENTS, HAPPENINGS AND GATHERINGS
Monday, Oct. 9
ACE Awards and Appreciation Lunch
Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340
Provost Jennifer Troyer hosts the annual Alumni Campus Employee Awards and Appreciation Lunch honoring the 2023 awards Recipients. Lunch is free for all alumni employees and $10 for all other guests. Register here.
Faculty and Staff Social Takeover
4:30 p.m., Wine Vault at University Place
Alumni-owned Wine Vault and Boardwalk Billy’s are hosting UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and community partners for a Niner Nation Week social filled with food, drinks, branded gear and Niner Spirit. Register for the celebration.
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Aux Cord Wars Live!
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340
Do you think you’re worthy of the sacred aux cord in the car? The Campus Activities Board invites you to battle against your fellow Niners to see who gets the aux and a chance to win prizes! There will be a special guest in attendance, so don’t miss out! Be sure to arrive early as space is limited.
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Uptown Celebration
Noon, Founders Hall, Bank of America Corporate Center
Join Chancellor Gaber and special surprise guests Wednesday, Oct. 11, for a spirited Uptown Celebration treating attendees to lunch and snacks, free UNC Charlotte gear and major giveaways, including Panthers and Hornets tickets! Register here.
Homecoming Palooza
2 p.m., Star Quad
The Alumni Engagement Office and the Future Alumni Network invite you to come out with your friends for an afternoon of activities and games while watching the student talent showcase and enjoying a variety of fun foods. Be sure to attend to grab your Niner swag, Niner Nation Week T-shirts and much more!
Thursday, Oct. 12
Homecoming Comedy Show
Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340
Bring your laughter A-game, Niners! The Campus Activity Board is hosting a Homecoming Comedy Show that will turn the evening into a memory that’ll have you chuckling for years to come! This event is free for UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff with school ID; open to UNC Charlotte alumni with school ID.
Jazz Ensemble and Combos
7:30 p.m., Belk Theater, Robinson Hall
The Department of Music presents the UNC Charlotte Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Will Campbell, and the Jazz Combo, under the direction of Troy Conn. Register here.
Friday, Oct. 13
Good Seed Service Project
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Niner University Elementary
UNC Charlotte and Lowe’s Home Improvement are partnering to build raised garden beds at Niner University Elementary Oct. 13. These beds provide year-round educational opportunities and fresh produce for 250 families. Multiple shifts offered throughout the day. Sign up today!
Legacy Lunch (Family Weekend)
11:30 a.m. top 1 p.m., Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons
The UNC Charlotte Office of Alumni Engagement cordially invites first-year legacy families to attend the 2023 Legacy Lunch. During this annual tradition, first-year and transfer legacy students — those who have at least one parent, stepparent, grandparent or sibling who is an alum of UNC Charlotte — present their legacy family members with a special legacy lapel pin. There is a $15 fee for each family member or guest; attendance for legacy students is $5. Lunch will be provided. Requires separate registration.*
University Career Center Meetup (Family Weekend)
Noon to 12:45 p.m. and 3 to 3:45 p.m., University Career Center, Atkins Annex
Join University Career Center staff for an overview of programs and resources designed to help students prepare and connect to purposeful work. Content will be provided at the beginning and participant questions answered in these 45-minute sessions, which are open for students, families and supporters. This event is free, but registration is requested through the 49er Family Hub.
Family Weekend Check-in (Family Weekend)
4 to 7 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200
Hosted by the Transition and Success Initiatives Office, check-in will open at 4 p.m. Pick up your welcome bag, purchased event tickets and other Family Weekend surprises.
Friday Fest Block Party
5:30 p.m., CHHS Plaza
Kick off your weekend with some great fun and excitement with fellow Niners. Enjoy food trucks, games, music and fun the night before the big game!
NPHC Stroll Competition
7 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340
UNC Charlotte’s National Pan-Hellenic Council is going to show you who really runs the yard! Come out for the 2023 NPHC Stroll Competition, a cornerstone of Homecoming. Watch as your favorite NPHC fraternities and sororities put on a show not to be missed! Limited tickets remain. Register now!
Black Alumni Chapter Welcome Reception
8 p.m., Golden Owl Tavern, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Join the Black Alumni Chapter for a drop-in reception at the Golden Owl Tavern in the UNC Charlotte Marriott & Conference Center. Connect with friends old and new as the Black Alumni Chapter kicks off a fun-filled weekend. Register here!
Saturday, Oct. 14
Homecoming 49er Tailgate Village
11:30 a.m., Hauser Alumni Pavilion
The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association pulls out all the stops at the 49er Tailgate Village. Featuring multiple food and dessert stations, beer and wine, family-friendly games and entertainment from Deaf Andrews Band featuring alums Mike Sherrard ’19, Nick Hayes ’17 and Ross Schumann ’18; this is a tradition you won’t want to miss. Claim your spot today!
Gameday Spirit Tents
Noon to 2 p.m., 49th Acre Student Tailgate and Alumni Walkway
Check out all of the excitement and get geared up for the big game! Get your face painted, hair sprayed and get decked out in 49er spirit on your way to the stadium.
Homecoming Football Game
2 p.m., Jerry Richardson Stadium
The Homecoming game against Navy is officially sold out, but you can still get tickets through secondary ticketing partner SeatGeek. Cheer on your 49ers and enjoy special halftime activities, including the coveted recognition of the Golden Niner! Learn more
Sneaker Ball hosted by the Black Alumni Chapter (supported by Truist)
9 p.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Don’t miss the BAC’s finest green carpet affair with Chubb Rock and DJ Envy, with an opening set by DJ Spin Vixen. Come camera-ready in semi-formal attire and stylish sneakers. Admission includes two complimentary beer or wine beverages and appetizers. Register now!
Sunday, Oct. 15
Jazz Brunch hosted by the Black Alumni Chapter
11 a.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
What better way to close out a wonderful weekend than brunch with friends? Enjoy live music from Groove Masters at our farewell jazz brunch. Admission includes a buffet and two mimosa bar drink tickets. Reserve your spot.