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Homecoming and Family Weekend: September 23-29, 2024

This year’s Homecoming theme, “Together We Grow,” celebrates our amazing Buffalo State community while reminding us of our strength in unity, growth, and connection to the past while looking towards the future.

Join us for this year for a week full of events leading up to the Homecoming Tailgate and Football game on Saturday, September 28, culminating the end of our exciting Homecoming Week.

Events

  • Commuter Connection (Homecoming Edition)
    Calling all commuters! Stop by Bengal Walk for some coffee and donuts. Find out about all the Homecoming events, get football tickets, and be entered into a gas card giveaway!

    8:30–10:00 a.m. - Perry Quad

    https://www.bengalconnect.com/event/10282895

    Free.
     

  • Bengal Connect Student Organization Fair
    Join USG to learn about ways to get involved with organizations and clubs from across campus!

    12:30–1:30 p.m.– Campbell Student Union Lobby

    Free.
     

  • Benji’s 153rd Birthday Celebration & Benji’s Glow-up Reveal
    Did someone say birthday!? Free cupcakes! Stop by and grab a cupcake to celebrate Buffalo State University’s 153rd year educating in the city of Buffalo!  This is also the debut of Benji’s new look as we reveal the new updated Benji mascot.

    12:30–1:30 p.m. – The Plaza outside of Campbell Student Union

    https://www.bengalconnect.com/event/10282957

    Free.
     

  • Scholarship Golf & Pickleball Classic
    Support student scholarships from across campus but taking part in the annual Scholarship Golf & Pickleball Classic! This event has provided financial assistance and academic scholarships for hundreds of our students through the years.

    Register 

    10:30 a.m– 6:00 p.m. – Orchard Park Country Club
     

  • Anne Frank Project Alumni Lecture
    Join alumni and students as alumnus Lazarus Lynch, ‘16, presents on the theme “Home” as the Anne Frank Project’s featured speaker in collaboration with the Buffalo State Talks Speaker Series.

    7:00– 9:00 p.m. – Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni & Visitor Center

    NetCommunity Registration: 
    $10 per person, students free – Registration fees go to support student travel for AFP's Rwanda trip

    AFP website link

  • Anne Frank Project
     
  • Office Door Decoration Contest
    Departments across campus are encouraged to show their Bengal spirit by decorating their office doors to celebrate Homecoming. 

    Judging starts Wednesday, September 25 at 1pm

    Register your office door.
     

  • Residence Hall Decorating Contest (Judging)
    Campus residents are invited to assist with decorating their building’s RA Office doors to spread Homecoming cheer! Contact your RA for details on how to get involved in your building.

    Judging starts Wednesday, September 25
     

  • Homecoming Happy Hour at Coyer Field
    Alumni, families, faculty, and staff are invited to enjoy a reception at Coyer Field as the Bengal Football Team prepares for Saturday’s Homecoming Game on Saturday. Registration includes food and one drink ticket redeemable at the bar. Tours of the press box and presidential suite will be given during the event.

    4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Coyer Field's Bengal Deck at top of bleachers

    $5 per person

  • Anne Frank Project
     
  • Homecoming Farmer's Market in the Plaza
    Enjoy music, food, and fun. Local vendors will be present, and you can fill a farmers market bag from Chartwells' selected produce.

    11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – The Plaza outside of Campbell Student Union

    Free to attend. $10 for a bag of fresh produce.
     

  • Music Alumni Concert & Reception
    All are welcome to this free performance and reception as alums from the Music Department come back to share their talents and perform during this Homecoming tradition.

    7:30–9:00p.m. – Ciminelli Recital Hall

    NetCommunity Registration 

    Free.
     

  • Midnight Madness at Athletics
    Join Buffalo State Athletics for food, music, and games in Houston Gym, the Sports Arena, and Coyer Field! Celebrate the start of the winter sport season during Homecoming Weekend. Open to all students with no shortage of fun for everyone. Midnight Madness will include basketball in the Sports Arena, music, contests and games, prizes, food, and more!

    10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. - Houston Gym, Sports Arena, and Coyer Field

    https://www.bengalconnect.com/event/10283017

    Free.

  • EOP Alumni Reunion
    Alumni of the Education Opportunity Program are invited back to campus to tour the university and learn about the current EOP program, including meeting the staff and students!

    5:00–7:00p.m. – Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni & Visitor Center

    NetCommunity Registration

    Free.

  • Benji’s Block Party in the Plaza
    Come out to Benji’s Block Party and get your free Homecoming t-shirt. Sponsored by United Students Government, Benji’s Block Party will include carnival games, music, prizes, food, inflatables, and more!

    7:00–10:00 p.m.

    https://www.bengalconnect.com/event/10283109

    Free.
     

  • Buffalo Opera in the Performing Arts Center
    The Marriage of Figaro (sung by Buffalo Opera Unlimited in Italian with English translations projected above the stage) recounts a single day of madness – Figaro’s wedding day.  Enjoy this amazing performance in Buffalo State University’s state-of-the-art facility during Homecoming Weekend.

    7:30 p.m. – Performing Arts Center

    Tickets

  • Bengals and Bagels
    Bengal families and students are invited to enjoy a bagel breakfast and planetarium shows at the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium in the newly renovated Science and Math Complex.  

    10:00 a.m.–noon – Science and Math Complex 

    $5 per person
     

  • Women’s Soccer vs. Potsdam

    11:00 a.m.

    Free.

  • Alumni and Family Tailgate

    Alumni, family, students, and the community are invited to a tailgate featuring food, games, and Bengal spirit! Registration includes a meal with choice of bbq chicken, hotdogs, or burger featuring sides like mac and cheese and corn salad. Come for the tailgate and enter the football game for free as the Bengals take on Alfred State at 5:00 p.m.!

    3:00– 5:00 p.m. – Sports Arena

    $5 per person
     

  • Football Game vs. Alfred State

    Cheer on the Bengals as they take on Alfred State for the 2024 Homecoming Game! Free to attend!

    5:00 p.m.– Coyer Field

    Entrance is free.
     

  • Dale K: Almost Evil Comedy Hypnotist
    8:00–9:00 p.m. – Campbell Student Union, Social Hall

Hotel Information

Best Western on the Avenue

510 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Please reserve your room by calling (716) 886-8333.

Rate: $189 Friday, Saturday/per night. 

Beginning date: Friday, September 27, 2024. End date: Sunday, September 29, 2024. 

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Buffalo Airport

4271 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Please reserve your room by calling (716) 633-2488 or visit  Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International 

Rate: $179 per night

Beginning date: Friday, September 27, 2024. End date: Sunday, September 29, 2024. 

Richardson Hotel

444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213

Last Day to Book: July 17, 2024

Please reserve your room by calling (716) 493-2610

Rate: $279 per night

Beginning date: Friday, September 27, 2024. End date: Sunday, September 29, 2024. 

Wyndham Garden Buffalo Downtown

125 High St, 444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Please reserve your room by calling (716) 845-0112  

Rate: $117 per night
Code: Buffalo State University

Beginning date: Friday, September 27, 2024. End date: Sunday, September 29, 2024. 

Renee Carlineo (co-chair)

Katelyn Brickhouse (co-chair)

Luke Haumesser (co-chair)

Chelsea Allen

Matthew Baran

Daniel Blum 

Tiffany Bromfield

Colleen Callahan

Austin Craig

Brent Ford

Alexis Greinert

Bernadette Matre

Erika Mitchell

Kristen Mruk

Zachary Nau

Amy Pedlow

Thomas Trzepkowski

Jeffrey Ventura

Catherine Vivacqua

Door Decorating Contest

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