A student organizer for the Coastal Activities Board (CAB) said Homecoming is a time for students to get in the school spirit and become more involved on campus. 

Nashira Riley, CAB president, helped organize several of the events at Homecoming during the week of Nov. 7 – 13. This year’s theme is superheroes. CAB hosts the Talent Show, the Miss Teal and Bronze Pageant, and they will be involved with the Homecoming Parade. 

“I believe that it will be different being that, you know we are kind of getting back into, not normal life, but normal life from COVID,” she said. “Last year it was – everything was pretty much virtual.”  

CCU faculty, staff, alumni, and community volunteers will judge organizations competitions. One popular event, the Homecoming Step Show, is at 7 p.m. on Friday in Wheelwright Auditorium.  

President Michael Benson will lead the 9 a.m. parade through downtown Conway as grand marshal.  

Jessica Combess, the director of student activities and leadership, said homecoming is a time to celebrate the University and what it means to the students. Combess said it’s also a time for CCU to welcome back alumni. 

“We are a relatively new institution,” Combess said. “I think it’s very important to get that alumni base here, to celebrate you know, what it means to be a Chanticleer.”  

Combess said many of the events last year were redirected and adapted to virtual. She said last year for the talent show there were a very limited number of tickets available because of the social distancing policy on campus, which is no longer in effect. 

“We’re excited to get back for this year to more of a full scale, even if that is masks – of course safety,” she said. “We are here. We want to celebrate.” 

Combess said this homecoming will hopefully get students involved who have never had the chance to experience a complete school year at CCU.  

Other offices on campus are also getting involved in the celebration of CCU spirit. 

Matthew Barnes, telecommunications and cable TV technician, said his office is getting involved by decorating in a Daily Bugle style – following the superhero theme. Barnes said the office of Information Technology Services (ITS) created a newspaper that reports ITS saves homecoming.  

“We’re doing pretty much everything Marvel basically,” Barnes said. 

He said his office plans on placing printouts of the newspaper around campus. This is a way for them to celebrate along with the students and alumni. Barnes said also that ITS will be making a short commercial containing clips from Marvel movies that they will be projecting in their office.  

Riley said things will be different this year, and safety measures will still be followed. 

“Social distancing and masks are still required inside the buildings,” Riley said. “But outside the buildings we will still be promoting it and advertising that.” 

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE 

Superhero Glow Dash 

Nov. 11 at 8 p.m., participants will dress as their favorite superheroes and race around Coastal’s Campus and assist in celebrating U.S. Veteran heroes on Veterans Day. 

NPHC Step Show 

Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., this annual event highlights the seven historically Black fraternities and sororities at CCU for their traditions, culture, and creativity and will be held at 7 p.m. in the Wheelwright Auditorium 

Conway Homecoming Parade 

 Nov. 13 at 9 a.m., the Homecoming Parade will be held in Downtown Conway, and groups will participate by designing a float or walking alongside the parade route.  

Homecoming Football Game vs. Georgia State 

Nov. 13 at 2 p.m., the Homecoming football game will be held in Brooks Stadium. The first-place winners from each category of the homecoming competition (small group, large group, housing community) will be announced between the third and fourth quarters of the homecoming game.  

The Spirit of the Chanticleer Award 

During halftime of the Homecoming Game, university officials will announce the winner of this award, a student who truly epitomizes what it means to be a Chanticleer. The winner receives a “Spirit of the Chanticleer” branded pullover, a trophy, and a $250 prize.