Alumni Homecoming Weekend October 8 - 10, 2026

Alumni and friends are encouraged to join us for a great weekend of fun activities to celebrate Homecoming. The 2026 alumni events schedule is posted below and the full campus schedule including home athletic games can be found at crk.umn.edu/homecoming. Call your college friends, roommates, teammates, bring the family and new friends, or attend solo. If you graduated 50 years ago or just last year, COME HOME for Homecoming.

2026 Alumni Homecoming Weekend Schedule

Thursday, October 8

  • M Alumni Day & Banner Year Celebration - Hosted by the Alumni Office and included live music, appetizers, historical promos, photo booths, and a toast to the M Alumni Five Campus Initiative, UMN Crookston's Banner Years (120 year since the first classes and 60 years of collegiate offerings), Homecoming, and the University of Minnesota's 175th Anniversary.

Friday, October 9

 

  • Alumni Awards Celebration and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet - Hosted by the Alumni Office and Athletics - includes social, dinner, program, and awards ceremony.
    • Honorees included Outstanding Alumni Award recipients Katie Brucks 2005 and Kelly Boldan 1977, Abbey [Promise] Award recipient Parker Hanson-Harden 2019, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Branden Schwartz 2006 (men's golf), Marlon Bankston 1997 (men's basketball), Neil Austin 2002 (football), and former women's basketball coach Mike Roysland who coached from 2006-2023. 

Saturday, October 10

  • Lasting Legacy with Past Student Activities Directors - Hosted by the Alumni Office - included a panel discussion with former student activity directors Pam Holsinger-Fuchs, Ph.D., Lisa Samuelson, Ph.D., and Brooke Novak 2013, M.S., plus a honorable mention to Dale Knotek who recently passed.
  • Homecoming Block Party - Hosted by the Homecoming Committee - included bounce houses, food trucks, games and activities, and music.
  • Banner Raising for the 2002 Men's Golf Championship Team - Hosted by Athletics and the Alumni Office - included a banner raising and recognition for the 2002 Men's Golf Championship Team.
  • Alumni & Friends Social - Hosted by the Alumni Office - gathering over Homecoming.

Accommodations

Make your overnight accommodations at any of Crookston’s hotels. When making your reservation, request “University rate” – AmericInn by Wyndham and Crookston Inn will honor the rate if they have rooms to accommodate your request.

  • AmericInn by Wyndham - 218-281-7800
  • AmeriVu Hotel & Suites - 218-470-1111
  • Crookston Inn - 218-470-1000
  • Golf Terrace Motel - 218-281-2626

Photos and Videos

Photographs and video taken by University Relations at this event may be used in University publications and websites. See the Homecoming photo gallery.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding Homecoming or any of the events, please contact Jess Bengtson at [email protected] or 218-281-8432.

About Homecoming

Some of the earliest recorded history of Homecoming took place when the campus was home to the Northwest School of Agriculture. The alumni association was organized in 1911, and in 1913, an alumni banquet was held at the Palace Hotel in Crookston and all alumni were invited to this special home coming.

Today, many of the traditions of Homecoming are carried on by the University of Minnesota Crookston including the recognition of accomplished alumni, athletic events, a bonfire, and a week of activities that ignite maroon and gold spirit.

Homecoming celebrates alumni. It is a time for remembering our legacy and building the sense of connectivity alumni have for one another and for this campus. That's why we say, "Go Maroon, Go Gold, Go Homecoming!"