Columbus State University Events

Homecoming

 

Save the Date for Homecoming 2026

October 12–17, 2026

Check out last year’s events below.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Paint the Paws Registered Student Organizations are invited to leave their mark by painting the Cougar paw prints that text-lg around campus. 1-5pm Main Campus Students

Friday, October 10, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Paint the Paws Registered Student Organizations are invited to leave their mark by painting the Cougar paw prints that text-lg around campus. 1-5pm Main Campus Students

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Paint the Town Join us in Uptown Columbus as local businesses & students decorate storefronts with Cougar pride. 5-7 pm RiverPark Campus Students

Monday, October 13, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Kickoff Enjoy free lunch, music, games, & fun — plus free t-shirts for the first 250 students! Noon-2 pm Clock Tower Students
Cougar Madness Celebrate Cougar spirit at our Athletic Spirit Night, with games, competitions, & giveaways while meeting all Fall Athletic Teams & Club Football. 6 pm-8 pm Lumpkin Center Students, Employees & Alumni
Cougar Glow Party Dance under the blacklights with a live DJ, neon lights, glow sticks, & more! 8 pm-10 pm Rec Center, Multi-Purpose Room Students
Battle for the Pantry Drive Donate non-perishable goods to support the CSU Food Pantry or make a monetary donation. All Day Main Campus Students, Employees & Alumni
Door Decorating Contest Show your Cougar spirit & creativity! Themes should include school colors, our mascot, homecoming traditions & your unit’s unique flair! Judging begins Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:00 am, winner announced on Friday. All Day Main & RiverPark Campus Employees

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Cougar Craze: Virtual Scavenger Hunt Think you know all things CSU? Put your knowledge to the test in Cougar Craze, our Homecoming virtual scavenger hunt! 9 am-Noon Virtual Students
Cougar Craze: T-Shirt Decorating Competition Students show off your Cougar pride & creativity by design your own Homecoming t-shirt & participate in our decorating competition. Noon Clock Tower Students
Cougar Nation Bonfire Ignite your Cougar spirit at the Cougar Nation Bonfire with music, giveaways, smores & campus pride at the biggest bonfire of the year! 8-9:30 pm Parking Lot 7, Main Campus Students
Battle for the Pantry Drive Donate non-perishable goods to support the CSU Food Pantry or make a monetary donation. All Day Main Campus Students, Employees & Alumni
Door Decorating Contest Show your Cougar spirit & creativity! Themes should include school colors, our mascot, homecoming traditions & your unit’s unique flair! Judging begins Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:00 am, winner announced on Friday. All Day Main & RiverPark Campus Employees

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Cougar Field Day Get ready to team up, compete & have some fun at Cougar Field Day for games, challenges, & friendly competition—all packed with Cougar spirit. Noon Main Campus, Clock Tower Students
SAC Game Show: “The Price is What?” Guess the cost of everyday items in this interactive game show where the whole audience plays, with multiple rounds, plenty of laughs, & $200 in cash prizes for current students—come on down! 7:30 pm, doors open, 8:00 pm, show begins Main Campus, University Hall Auditorium Students
Battle for the Pantry Drive Donate non-perishable goods to support the CSU Food Pantry or make a monetary donation. All Day Main Campus Students, Employees & Alumni
Door Decorating Contest Show your Cougar spirit & creativity! Themes should include school colors, our mascot, homecoming traditions & your unit’s unique flair! Judging begins Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:00 am, winner announced on Friday. All Day Main & RiverPark Campus Employees

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Traditions Block Party Enjoy free food, games, music, & giveaways while learning about CSU traditions & how to mark some off your Traditions tracker. Noon-2 pm Main Campus, Clock Tower Students
Alumni Trivia Night An evening of Cougar-themed trivia, snacks, & reconnecting with old friends. Registration is required. 6 pm-8 pm Frank G. Lumpkin Center, President's Club Room Alumni
Color Clash Prepare to get messy for a high-energy color war! Join your fellow Cougars in an epic battle of bright powders, music, & school spirit. 6:15 pm-7:15 pm RiverPark Campus, Woodruff Park Students
Midnight Dodgeball Late-night dodgeball fun! Play, cheer, & support Cougarthon’s mission! (Teams of 7: $35; Student ID: $2 w/o ID: $3) 11 pm-1 am Main Campus, Rec Center Gym Students
Battle for the Pantry Drive Donate non-perishable goods to support the CSU Food Pantry or make a monetary donation. All Day Main Campus Students, Employees & Alumni
Door Decorating Contest Show your Cougar spirit & creativity! Themes should include school colors, our mascot, homecoming traditions & your unit’s unique flair! Judging begins Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:00 am, winner announced on Friday. All Day Main & RiverPark Campus Employees

Friday, October 17, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Downtown Domination-CSU Parade & Uptown Concert Meet us downtown for the CSU Parade showcasing the best of Cougar Nation, then the Uptown Concert Series 6:45 pm Downtown Students, Employees & Alumni
Connected Colleagues: Parade Watch Party & Concert Second Story is Parade Center for our employee watch party. Join the fun & camaraderie w/your CSU colleagues & stay after for the Uptown Concert Series. 5:00 pm Second Story, 1102 Broadway Employees
Battle for the Pantry Drive Donate non-perishable goods to support the CSU Food Pantry or make a monetary donation. All Day Main Campus Students, Employees & Alumni

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Event Description Time Location Audience(s)
Student & Alumni Tailgating Enjoy food, games, & Cougar pride before the big matches Noon-2 pm Walden Soccer Complex Parking Lot Students, Employees & Alumni
CougarFest CougarFest features craft beer selections, live music, food, & community fun! Must be 21 to drink. Cost: Free - $15 Noon Walden Soccer Complex Parking Lot Students, Employees & Alumni
Women’s Soccer vs USC Aiken Cheer on the Lady Cougars! Homecoming week winners, court, spirit royalty, & King/Queen announced at halftime. 2 pm Walden Soccer Complex Students, Employees & Alumni
Club Football vs Coppin State End Homecoming with Cougar football under the lights—free & open to all! 5 pm Kinnett Stadium Students, Employees & Alumni
Dr. Rayfield with many students at Homecoming
Homecoming Kings & Queens
Students with Cody the Cougar at the Homecoming Bonfire
Group of CSU girls Soccer players
Several students dancing with Cody the Cougar