Behold the Gold: Southern Miss 2017 Homecoming

The University of Southern Miss Homecoming Court and Mr. and Miss Southern Miss will be introduced at halftime of the USM-UTEP football game Saturday, Oct. 14. Members of the homecoming royalty include; front row, left to right: Madison Seymour- Sophomore Maid; Megan Stegelman- Junior Maid; Rachel Young- Graduate Maid; Raven Necaise- Gulf Park representative (escorted by Blake Bateaste); Carlee Welch Dick- Senior Maid; Jourdan Green- Freshman Maid. Second row, left to right: Tony Reimonenq III- Sophomore Beau; Richard Shelton- Junior Beau; Tayla McKinney- Homecoming Queen; Alan Shaw- Homecoming King; Sawyer Walters- Senior Beau; Joshua Williams- Freshman Beau; Third row, left to right: Donaven McLaurin- Graduate Beau; Franky Lopez- Mr. Southern Miss; Kayla Hubbard- Miss Southern Miss; Carrie Anne Bounds- Student Body Maid; Ali Ellis- Student Body Beau. (USM photo by Kelly Dunn)

The Golden Eagle family is celebrating homecoming week at The University of Southern Mississippi, which will culminate in the Saturday, Oct. 14 Conference USA football matchup at 6 p.m. with the University of Texas at El Paso. Students, alumni, faculty and staff and friends of USM are invited to participate in the wide array of activities marking the occasion, with the homecoming theme “Behold the Gold.”

Among the activities include a 5 p.m. pep rally on Friday, Oct. 13 held in conjunction with “Live at Five” at downtown Hattiesburg's Town Square Park; at 6:30 p.m. that evening, the induction of the newest members of the Southern Miss Alumni Association's Hall of Fame at the Thad Cochran Center; and on Saturday, Oct. 14, the Alumni Association Awards Lunch will feature recognition of alums and other supporters of USM for their outstanding service to the university.

At the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, events include a reception for the Gulf Park Homecoming representative Thursday, Oct. 12 from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Hardy Hall Ballroom; and “Tailgating Under the Oaks” Saturday, Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. on the South Lawn.

Prior to Saturday's game, the annual homecoming parade will take place at 11 a.m., travelling east down Hardy Street to the main entrance of the Hattiesburg campus. Former USM football and NFL standout Adalius Thomas will serve as the parade's grand marshal. The event will also feature the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, the Dixie Darlings, the USM homecoming court and a variety of floats and decorated vehicles representing student groups and campus and area organizations and businesses.

For a complete schedule of events for USM's 2017 homecoming, visit https://www.usm.edu/homecoming.