{"id":88773,"date":"2024-10-06T13:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T17:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/?p=88773"},"modified":"2024-10-08T13:14:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T17:14:27","slug":"2024-homecoming-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/10_06_2024\/2024-homecoming-celebration","title":{"rendered":"2024 Homecoming Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Music and excitement filled the Old Orchard neighborhood near UToledo on Saturday morning as the Rocket Marching Band helped lead the annual Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade before the 94th Homecoming game, a 30-20 victory over the Miami RedHawks.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88770\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/10052024-6874.jpg\" alt=\"Music and excitement fill the Old Orchard neighborhood near UToledo on Saturday morning as the Rocket Marching Band helps lead the annual Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/10052024-6874.jpg 748w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/10052024-6874-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The parade was one of the main events during the University\u2019s weeklong celebration of Homecoming, its longest-standing tradition, including on-campus events for students.<\/p>\n<p>For University of Toledo alumni, 2024 Homecoming festivities began Friday afternoon in Centennial Mall on Main Campus with Rocket Romance, a celebration of former students who found love at UToledo.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88774 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKET-ROMANCE-GROUP-2024-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of many couples during the 2024 Rocket Romance event on Centennial Mall.\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKET-ROMANCE-GROUP-2024-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKET-ROMANCE-GROUP-2024-STORY-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88775 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROMANCE-COUPLE-2024-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of one older couple holding hands and looking at each other during the 2024 Rocket Romance event on Centennial Mall.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROMANCE-COUPLE-2024-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROMANCE-COUPLE-2024-STORY-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Followed by the Homecoming Gala on Friday evening, The University of Toledo Alumni Association recognized distinguished graduates including Jeffrey Traudt, who received his bachelor of marketing in 1979, with the Gold T award winner.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88776\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jeffrey-Traudt-GALA-GOLD-T-AWARD-WINNER-.jpg\" alt=\"The University of Toledo Alumni Association;s Homecoming Gala recognized distinguished graduates including Jeffrey Traudt, who received his bachelor of marketing in 1979, with the Gold T award winner, who is speaking at the event.\" width=\"500\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jeffrey-Traudt-GALA-GOLD-T-AWARD-WINNER-.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jeffrey-Traudt-GALA-GOLD-T-AWARD-WINNER--300x233.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Also in attendance at the Homecoming Gala was former UToledo football great Chuck Ealey, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee who never lost a never lost a game in his three seasons as the Rockets\u2019 starting quarterback, and his wife, Sherri Ealey.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88777\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHUCK-AND-SHERRI-EALEY-AT-GALA-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Posing for a photo at the Homecoming Gala is former UToledo football great Chuck Ealey, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee who never lost a never lost a game in his three seasons as the Rockets\u2019 starting quarterback, and his wife, Sherri Ealey.\" width=\"500\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHUCK-AND-SHERRI-EALEY-AT-GALA-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHUCK-AND-SHERRI-EALEY-AT-GALA-STORY-300x246.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On Saturday morning, crisp-blue sunny skies greeted the Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade as it worked its way through Old Orchard neighborhood and ended back on campus.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88782 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKSY-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Rocksy interacts with two girls during the 2024 Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" width=\"500\" height=\"416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKSY-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ROCKSY-PARADE-STORY-300x250.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88778 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/International-Studies-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Members of the Center for International Studies and Programs were colorful clothes from their home countries as they march in the 2024 Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" width=\"500\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/International-Studies-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/International-Studies-PARADE-STORY-300x177.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88779 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/JETPACK-COSTUME-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"A student dressed in a rocket man jet pack walks in the 2024 Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" width=\"500\" height=\"489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/JETPACK-COSTUME-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/JETPACK-COSTUME-PARADE-STORY-300x293.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88780 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/KA-MARCH-IN-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Members of the KA sorority march in the 2024 Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" width=\"500\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/KA-MARCH-IN-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/KA-MARCH-IN-PARADE-STORY-300x245.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88781 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHILDREN-WATCHING-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Three young girls watch members of the parade dressed in costumes from Colonial-era America march by.\" width=\"500\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHILDREN-WATCHING-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/CHILDREN-WATCHING-PARADE-STORY-300x245.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sponsored by Blue Key National Honor Society and supported by the Office of Student Engagement and the Office of Alumni Engagement, the parade featured floats, dignitaries, alumni, honorees, Rocky and Rocksy, with Interim President Matt Schroeder as grand marshal.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88783\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INTERIMN-PRES-PARADE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Interim President Matt Schroder as parade grand marshal rides in a car with his family.\" width=\"500\" height=\"356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INTERIMN-PRES-PARADE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INTERIMN-PRES-PARADE-STORY-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xvU4B-0Od2s?si=A-51ET6Rbn57r6PG\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>After the parade, the Alumni Association hosted a Pregame Party with food and drinks from noon to 3 p.m. at William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88784\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/PREGAME-PARTY-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"After the parade, the Alumni Association hosted a Pregame Party with cheerleaders, the Rocket Marching Band and free food and drinks from noon to 3 p.m. at William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/PREGAME-PARTY-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/PREGAME-PARTY-STORY-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And for the main event Saturday afternoon, the 94th Homecoming game, the Toledo Rockets played the Miami RedHawks at Glass Bowl Stadium, with Toledo leading the entire game on the way to a 30-20 victory before a crowd of more than 25,000.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88785 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HOMECOMING-2024-GAME-ENTRANCE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Students with sparklers, cheerleaders and Rocksy run onto the field before the football team to open the 2024 Homecoming Game. \" width=\"500\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HOMECOMING-2024-GAME-ENTRANCE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HOMECOMING-2024-GAME-ENTRANCE-STORY-300x160.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In a rematch of last year&#8217;s MAC Championship Game, as well as the league&#8217;s last two league title\u00a0winners, Toledo outplayed the RedHawks in all phases of the game. The Rockets racked up 396 yards of total offense while holding Miami to just 350 yards. On special teams, Toledo blocked a punt and returned another for 33 yards, fielded a late onside\u00a0kick and made field goals of 47 and 48 yards.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88787 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/TACKLED-AT-ENDZONE-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"A Toledo Rocket is tackled by a Miami RedHawk during the 2024 Homecoming Game.\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/TACKLED-AT-ENDZONE-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/TACKLED-AT-ENDZONE-STORY-300x206.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-88786 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/QB-DIVES-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"Toledo Junior Quarterback, Tucker Gleason, dives for the end zone during the 2024 Homecoming Game.\" width=\"500\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/QB-DIVES-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/QB-DIVES-STORY-300x211.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And during halftime, the Homecoming 2024 King and Queen, Marquan Denby and Mai Mang, were recognized by Interim President Schroeder.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88788\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Homecoming-King-and-Queen-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"During halftime of the game, the Homecoming 2024 King and Queen, Marquan Denby and Mai Mang, were recognized by Interim President Schroeder on the football field.\" width=\"500\" height=\"396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Homecoming-King-and-Queen-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Homecoming-King-and-Queen-STORY-300x238.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Alumni Association also recognized its three top Homecoming Gala award winners. From left, William Pierce, associate vice president of alumni engagement, Jeffrey Traudt, the Gold T award recipient; Carol Thomas, the Daniel J. Saevig Blue T award recipient; Dr. Gabriella Pardee, the Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum award recipient; Alumni Association President Andr\u00e9 Swinerton; and Interim President Matt Schroeder.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-88789\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/DISTINGUSIHES-ALUMNI-HALFTIME-STORY.jpg\" alt=\"The Alumni Association also recognized its three top Homecoming Gala award winners. From left, William Pierce, associate vice president of alumni engagement, Jeffrey Traudt, the Gold T award recipient; Carol Thomas, the Daniel J. Saevig Blue T award recipient; Dr. Gabriella Pardee, the Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum award recipient; Alumni Association President Andr\u00e9 Swinerton; and Interim President Matt Schroeder.\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/DISTINGUSIHES-ALUMNI-HALFTIME-STORY.jpg 500w, https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/DISTINGUSIHES-ALUMNI-HALFTIME-STORY-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bKbf2AUwAxk?si=uVYHShJePMZDT5_9\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<a href=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/10_06_2024\/2024-homecoming-celebration\"><img width=\"120\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/10052024-6874-150x150.jpg\" class=\"alignright tfe wp-post-image\" alt=\"Music and excitement fill the Old Orchard neighborhood near UToledo on Saturday morning as the Rocket Marching Band helps lead the annual Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><p>Music and excitement filled the Old Orchard neighborhood near UToledo on Saturday morning as the Rocket Marching Band helped lead the annual Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade before the 94th Homecoming game, a 30-20 victory over the Miami RedHawks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":758,"featured_media":88770,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,1,47,7],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88773"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/758"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88773"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88773\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88811,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88773\/revisions\/88811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}