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Homecoming and Family Weekend features new events in 2023
University of the Pacific’s Homecoming and Family Weekend returns in October to reunite alumni, bring families together and celebrate the best of Pacific.
Along with traditional favorites, new activities will join the robust schedule of programming Oct. 13-15.
“This is a truly special year to celebrate all things Pacific,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20. “This is the 150th anniversary of the Pacific Alumni Association, which is one of the oldest alumni associations in California. We will be celebrating our rich history with many events and reunions throughout the weekend and cannot wait to have our fellow Tigers join us for the festivities.”
The entire Pacific community is invited, including alumni, families, parents, faculty, staff and current and prospective students. Registration is open through Oct. 1. The full calendar of events is online.
Two of the weekend’s most popular events return to kick off festivities Friday, Oct. 13: the Tiger Tasting Craft Beer Fest and the Orange and Black Ball.
The beer festival once again features Pacific’s resident beer experts, Vice President of Enrollment Management Chris Ferguson and Professor of Law Dan Croxall. Beer will be available from select California craft breweries.
At the Orange and Black Ball Saturday night, alumni, donors and fans can meet Pacific’s new Athletic Director Adam Tschuor, who joins Pacific Aug. 21 from University of Dayton where he is the No. 2 sports executive.
The ball is a major fundraiser for the Pacific Athletic Foundation, which supports Pacific’s 17 intercollegiate sports programs. Pre-registration is required for the event, which drew more than 500 donors, alumni and fans in 2022. See the highlights.
"Homecoming is a great time to see what is new on campus and revisit those places that meant so much to us ‘back when.’” - Pacific Alumni Association President Allan Hardcastle ’77, ’79
Saturday morning, attendees can get updated on everything happening on campus during a champagne toast with President Christopher Callahan.
A Hollywood at Pacific walking tour is one of the weekend’s new additions. Mike Wurtz, head of Pacific’s Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives, will lead the tour of film sites on the Stockton Campus Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Pacific has a long history with Hollywood. Numerous blockbuster movies have used the campus’s scenic New England-style settings, including “Indiana Jones,” Academy Award winner for best picture “All the King’s Men,” “Flubber,” “Dead Man on Campus” and others.
One of the most popular events, Taste of Pacific features wine tastings from alumni vintners.
Taste of Pacific, which features wine tastings from alumni vintners, will start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Attendees will enjoy live music and gourmet food with their tastings.
Families can choose from a mix of activities, including a family movie under the stars on Friday, a 5K Tiger Dash and half mile Cub run Saturday morning and a crafting activity later in the day.
Saturday’s traditional lunch and tailgate, which will also include some children’s activities, will feature barbeque this year rather than food trucks to get people through lines more quickly so they can head to featured athletic events.
Fans can cheer for the volleyball team as it takes on Gonzaga, women’s soccer vs. Santa Clara, men’s water polo matches against Cal Baptist and UC Santa Barbara and men’s soccer vs. Cal—the most athletic events offered during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
A rugby alumni game and Rugby Club vs. Cal Maritime also are scheduled.
The Faculty Mentor Awards, traditionally held in November, have been moved to Homecoming and Family Weekend to allow more people to attend. The awards recognize faculty who have made a deep and lasting impact on students. Honorees will be celebrated at a brunch Sunday, Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Numerous reunions also are scheduled throughout the weekend.
“University of the Pacific is a special place for all alumni,” said Pacific Alumni Association President Allan Hardcastle ’77, ’79. “What better time to reconnect, refresh and renew our ties to our alma mater than at homecoming? Homecoming is a great time to see what is new on campus and revisit those places that meant so much to us ‘back when.’”
