Homecoming & Family Weekend

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024 Schedule as of September 21st

Day 1: Friday, October 18, 2024

• Campus Bookstore Open

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. University Commons Lower Level

Stop by the Campus Bookstore to purchase your RWU gear.

• Homecoming and Family Weekend Registration Opens

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Lobby/Foyer

Please make this your first stop upon arrival to check in for the weekend and pick up your registration information.

• Athletics Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner

5:30 p.m.  Cocktail Reception, Global Heritage Hall

6:30 p.m.   Dinner and Hall of Fame Induction, Global Heritage Hall  

Tickets can be purchases on a separate RWU Tickets link

The Department of Athletics will induct the 2024 Hall of Fame Class

• Women’s Lacrosse Alumni Game

7 p.m.  Turf Field

Women’s Lacrosse Alumni will take to the Turf and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Amanda Magee at amagee@rwu.edu

• Student Theater Performance:   A Midsummer Night's Dream

7:30 p.m.  Performing Arts Barn    

Each year our Theater majors stage our Main Season Fall performance. A Midsummer Night's Dream is the story of the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, king of Athens, and Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. It follows the lovers Hermia and Lysander as they attempt to elope but are dogged by Demetrius, in love with Hermia, and Helena, in love with Demetrius. Tickets for this show can be reserved by contacting (401) 254-3666. 

• Casino Night

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Field House

Enjoy the excitement and the feel of a real casino at Casino Night without the worries of losing your shirt! Sit down at one of the many gaming tables which will include blackjack, roulette, Caribbean poker, or “go all in” at Texas hold ‘em.  Don’t miss this opportunity to feel like a high roller or just come and join us for an evening of fun.   The end of the night features our raffle for a selection of great prizes.  

• Family Bingo

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Upper Gym  

Bingo is a favorite tradition at Roger Williams University.  This event is a fun time for the whole family so make sure to take advantage of this fun and exciting event!   The end of the night features our raffle for a selection of great prizes

Day 2: Saturday, October 19th  

• Homecoming and Family Weekend Registration Opens

9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Lobby/Foyer

Please make this your first stop upon arrival to check in for the weekend and pick up your registration information.

• Captain’s Cup Breakfast (ticketed event)

9:30 a.m. Bready Sailing Center

Captain’s Cup Regatta participants will enjoy breakfast.

• Coffee and Conversation hosted by the Parent and Family Leadership Council and Division of Student Life

10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Roger’s Café Law School  

Meet the Parent and Family Leadership Council (PFLC) and the Division of Student Life at our Homecoming and Family Weekend Coffee Hour.  This mingling reception will allow you to ask question about Student Life and learn more about the Parent and Family Leadership Council.

The PFLC members represent the Parent & Family Association and work with the administration to provide leadership, support, and feedback in the vital areas of Admission, Advancement, Student Life, and Career Services. Council members attend events with the President, administration, and faculty, network with other RWU families, and lead campus and regional meetings. The annual philanthropic commitments of the PFLC support areas that impact all RWU students.  

• Homecoming 5 K Road Race

Race Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; Race starts at 10 a.m. from the front of the Campus Recreation Center  

Join the RWU Cross Country team as they lead off the Homecoming 5K Road Race!  This on-campus race is open to all parents, students, alumni, faculty and staff.  All runners will need to complete a wavier prior to the start of the race.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Sean Livingston at slivingston@rwu.edu.

• Children’s 100-Yard Dash

9:45 a.m. Recreation Center Patio

Kick off your Saturday with an exciting and energetic children’s race! Before the 5K begins, children ages 12 years old and younger will have the chance to compete for medals in our 100-yard dash.  

• Tours of Campus

10 a.m. Admissions and Alumni Center

First time on campus?  Enjoy walking tours of campus from a member of our Student Admissions staff (please dress appropriately and wear proper footwear).  These tours will depart from the Alumni and Admissions Center and last approximately an hour.

• Swimming & Diving Alumni Meet

10 a.m. Pool

Come see former members of the RWU swim team compete against local competitive swimmers.  Alums who are interested in participating should contact Head Coach Matt Emmert at memmert@rwu.edu.

• Campus Bookstore Open

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. University Commons Lower Level

Stop by the Campus Bookstore to purchase your RWU gear.  

• Women’s Alumni Soccer Game

10 a.m. Turf Field

Women’s Soccer Alumni will take to the Turf and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Katy LaBella at klabella@rwu.edu.

• Captain’s Cup Sailboat Race

10:00a.m. Bready Sailing Center Deck

It’s always a beautiful day for sailing; stop by and cheer on the Hawks in this year’s Captain’s Cup Regatta.  If you have questions about Captain’s Cup or alums who are interested in participating should contact Head Coach Amanda Callahan at acallahan@rwu.edu.

• Ultimate Frisbee Alumni Game

11 a.m. Front Fields

Ultimate Frisbee alumni will take to the Field and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Matt Stein at mstein@rwu.edu.

• Softball Alumni Game

11 a.m. Paolino Field

Softball alumni will take to the Field and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Joyce Maudie at jmaudie@rwu.edu.

• Autumn Picnic Lunch (Ticketed Event)

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. front of MNS Building  

Enjoy a special themed Autumn Lunch Picnic prepared by our Bon Appetite Dining staff.  Seating will be around campus or bring your blankets to picnic by the water.

• Captain’s Cup Lunch (ticketed event)

11:30a.m. Bready Sailing Center

Captain’s Cup Regatta participants will enjoy lunch after a morning of sailing.

• Hawk-tober Fest (ticketed event)

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Parking Lot adjacent to Turf Field

Join us for our very own Hawk-tober Fest celebrating autumn with seasonal beverages and snacks! Games, beer, wine, and snacks abound for alums, families and friends. Join us after the games and events to meet fellow Hawks and celebrate together! Open to students 21+ Wristband required.  

• Tours of Campus

12 p.m. Admissions and Alumni Center

First time on campus?  Enjoy walking tours of campus from a member of our Student Admissions staff (please dress appropriately and wear proper footwear).  These tours will depart from the Alumni and Admissions Center and last approximately an hour.

• Men’s Soccer Game

12:PM Turf Field

Cheer on the Hawks as they take on Nicholas College in the Commonwealth Coastal Conference match.

• Men’s Soccer Game

12:PM Turf Field

Cheer on the Hawks as they take on Nicholas College in the Commonwealth Coastal Conference match.

Upon the conclusion of the Men’s Soccer game, join the Athletics Department for the new Home Bench Shelter in of honor of Scott Callagy’92 by his teammates, led by Matt Carroll’02 and other fellow men’s soccer alumni

• Women’s Volleyball Match

1 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium

Cheer on the Hawks as they take on Gordon College in the Commonwealth Coastal Conference match.

• Autumn Festival

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Patio and Commons Quad

After enjoying the lunch, join us at the Autumn Festival, a weekend favorite for students, families and alumni.  Activities hosted by our student groups include carnival games, Ax Throwing,arts & crafts, and creative mementos just to name a few. Live music performance by student vocal and dance groups. Free food vendors will be throughout the area for you to sample more fresh local fare. *A few of our student groups will be fundraising for local charities, so a giving heart is welcome.

• Women’s Soccer Game

3 p.m. Turf Field

Cheer on the Hawks as they take on Nichols College in the Commonwealth Coastal Conference match.

• Roger's Dog Park Opening 

3:30 p.m. Dog Park Far side of Rugby Field 

Families, Alumni,  students and employees (with or without dogs!) are invited to join President Miaoulis and his golden retriever Roger in celebrating the grand opening of our new Dog Park featuring separate areas for small and large dogs.  Refreshments and dog treats will be offered!

• Men’s Alumni Lacrosse Game

6 p.m. Turf Field

Men’s Lacrosse Alumni will take to the Turf and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Kevin Gould at kgould@rwu.edu.

• Captain’s Cup Reception and Dinner (ticketed event)

6 p.m. Reception 7 p.m. Dinner Global Heritage Hall Atrium  

Captain's Cup Regatta participants will enjoy reception and dinner after a great day of sailing.  Please visit our RWU Tickets for the link to purchase.

• Student Theater Performance:   A Midsummer Night's Dream

7:30 p.m.  Performing Arts Barn    

Each year our Theater majors stage our Main Season Fall performance. A Midsummer Night's Dream is the story of the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, king of Athens, and Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. It follows the lovers Hermia and Lysander as they attempt to elope but are dogged by Demetrius, in love with Hermia, and Helena, in love with Demetrius. Tickets for this show can be reserved by contacting (401) 254-3666. 

• Special Saturday Night Entertainment:  Mentalist Show with David Hall

8 p.m. Campus Recreation Center Field House

Boston Magician and Mentalist David Hall’s award winning performances are full of wit, comedy, charm, stunning sleight-of-hand tricks and amazing mind reading.

In fact, David  has been entertaining audiences since 1998 as a premiere Boston magician & mentalist.

Superstars and VIP’s engage David to perform at their exclusive events. His client list includes celebrities such as Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones; Red Sox’s owner John Henry, as well as many theaters, performing art centers, colleges, universities, and fortune 500 companies across the US.

Besides that Boston Magician David Hall also has training in improv, sketch and comedy theater.  As a result, his show is a blend of magic and mind reading – a combination that results in extraordinary and unforgettable performances.  

Day 3: Sunday, October 20th

• Campus Bookstore Open

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. University Commons Lower Level

Stop by the Campus Bookstore to purchase your RWU gear.

• Wrestling Inter Squad Meet

10 a.m. Campus Recreation Center Field House

Come watch the Wrestling Team inter squad meet to kick off the season.  Alums who are interested in participating should contact Head Coach Jon Egan at jegan@rwu.edu.

• Field Hockey Alumni Game

12 p.m. Turf Field

Field Hockey Alumni will take to the Turf and play in this year’s alumni game.  Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Jill Reeve at jreeve@rwu.edu.

• Tennis Alumni Match

12 p.m. Tennis Courts

Tennis Alumni will take the courts in this year’s Tennis Alumni Match. Alums who are interested in playing should contact Head Coach Barry Gorman at bgorman@rwu.edu.

RWU utilizes the RWU Tickets webpage for Homecoming and Family Weekend Ticket purchases.  If you have purchased tickets for a previous event, you are able to log in and purchase tickets.

Guests who need to create a new General Public account should follow the instructions below:

   1. Click Register as New Customer

    2. Complete the information listed under General Public

    3. Click Register as General Public

    4. Set up your Customer Information, Billing Information and Shipping Information

    5. You will see all of our available events, select your event that you wish to purchase

    6. Click Get Tickets

    7.Select the number of tickets needed for quantity and click Find Tickets

    8. Please complete all necessary information

    9. Select in Delivery Method: E-Ticket

    10. Finally, select Checkout under Secure Payment
    Please note that you will have 20 minutes to make your selection or the tickets will be removed from your Cart

When is Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024? 
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024 will be held Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th

How do I sign up to attend Homecoming and Family Weekend events? 
Families and Alumni can register for Homecoming and Family Weekend events by visiting our RWU Tickets webpage.  Information on creating your account and purchase tickets can be found on our website. 

Why should I register before the weekend? 
Registration is a must! Your registration helps us know how many people are coming to Homecoming &  Family Weekend and allows us to provide you with important information for the weekend. Please pre-register for events that are “no charge” so we can offer you the best possible service. Please note that  some of our meal tickets do sell out due to the popularity of the events. 

Where will I be able to find local accommodations?  
There are a variety of area hotels, and they can be found at http://rwu.edu/maps directions/accommodations Please note: these hotels fill up early and you may need to check other  area hotels. 

Can I bring my younger children and siblings? 
Homecoming and Family Weekend is for the entire family; many families will bring siblings or  grandparents to enjoy your events, watch athletic competitions and most importantly visit your student. 

Can my student pick up my Registration information for me during check-in? 
Yes, your student will be able to pick up your information and check your family in for the weekend. We  strongly request that all families check in with us for the weekend, even if you selected complimentary  tickets. Our Registration Desk is in the Campus Recreation Center and will be staffed on Friday night  from 6 p.m. .to 9 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9 a.m. .to 12:30 p.m.

What if I want to take my student to dinner off campus? 
We encourage family members to explore the local area and enjoy restaurants and shops. If you plan to  take your student to dinner, we strongly recommend that you make reservations prior to arriving.  Information on Bristol can be found at http://www.explorebristolri.com/ and for those families wishing  to visit Newport; information can be found at https://www.discovernewport.org/.  

Where do I park on campus? 
Families will be directed to park in our Lot D. There will be signage that will direct you where to park.  Where do I go upon arriving on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend? 
Families are asked to check in at our Homecoming and Family Weekend Registration Center. This is  located at the Campus Recreation Center and will be open on Friday night from 6 pm. to 9 p.m. and  Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Is there an app for the Homecoming and Family Weekend Schedule? 
Information for Homecoming and Family Weekend; including schedule, local information and  recommendations can be found via Guidebook. Families can download the Guidebook app via their App  Store. Once you download Guidebook, you will search for the Roger Williams University 2023-2024 Guide. Our Homecoming and Family Weekend Information will be live on September 15th.  

If I need to make a change to my registration or have a question; whom do I contact? 
If you need to make any changes to your registration or you have additional questions, please contact  Student Programs, Leadership and Orientation at studentprograms@rwu.edu or by calling (401) 254- 3088. A member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
 

The purpose of the Roger Williams University Athletics Hall of Fame is to recognize the achievements of those student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, and friends of the athletic program who have brought distinction to themselves and the University through their achievement, commitment, sportsmanship, and leadership in athletics.

The Athletics Department is pleased to induct the following into this year's class:

• Austin Coene '19 (Men's Basketball)
• Bobby Reis '76 (Baseball)
• Laurin Pendleton ' 12 (Women's Soccer)
• Phil Jacques '13 (Men's Swimming)
• LeEllen Lewis '08 (Softball)

Tickets can be purchased at the Hall of Fame Ticket Link which can be reached here

The 20th Annual Captain's Cup Regatta will be held on Saturday, October 19th.  We look forward to welcoming all Alumni, Family and Friends of RWU Sailing back to campus for a great day of sailing and hanging out with new and old friends.

All the boats will be rigged by the undergrads, and the day includes continental breakfast, lunch, and awards dinner.

The schedule for the day is 

9:30am - Boat Dedication followed by Competitor's Meeting
10:00am to 3:00pm - Racing & Lunch
6:00 to 7:00pm - Cocktail Reception
7:00 to 10:00pm - Dinner & Awards

Tickets can be purchased at the Captain's Cup Ticket link which can be found here