University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Homecoming Week Brings Full Slate of Traditions, Events to Campus
9/23/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado's Homecoming celebration continues this week, with a packed slate of events running through Saturday and building to the Bears' football matchup against Utah Tech on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Nottingham Field.
Volleyball Tips Off Thursday's Action
The Bears' volleyball team headlines Thursday's Homecoming events, hosting Montana at 6 p.m. at Bank of Colorado Arena. Northern Colorado is back on its home floor Saturday, Sept. 26, when it takes on Montana State at 12 p.m. giving fans a full weekend of Big Sky volleyball.
Also continuing Thursday: Space Dodgeball takes over the Lower Practice Fields from 8-9 p.m., with participants encouraged to wear clothing that glows under black light, and students can watch residence hall teams compete in MicroChill Chopped, a cooking competition running 7-8:30 p.m. in the South Hall first-floor lobby.
Friday is packed from morning to night. Blue and Gold Friday invites the entire campus community to wear Bear gear, supported by a 20% discount on UNC merchandise at the University Center Bookstore and at volleyball and football games from Thursday through Saturday.
The evening lineup begins with the Bear Community Social from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the University Center's Panorama Ballroom, a gathering for alumni and families of current Bears featuring food, drinks and music. Also offered that evening, Celebremos:
Three Years of Latinx Music at UNC runs 7:30-9 p.m. in the Campus Commons Performance Hall, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the Latin Beat Ensemble's season-opening concert.
The Pep Rally kicks off at 7 p.m. on the University Center West Patio, featuring free s'mores, performances from the Sugar Bears, UNC Cheer and the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band, and messages from the head football coach Ed Lamb and head volleyball coach Lyndsey Oates. Immediately following at 7:50 p.m., the Drone Show lights up the sky over the UC West Patio with hundreds of synchronized drones.
The night closes with Area 51 After Hours, a silent disco running 8-11 p.m. in the Campus Commons Lobby, complete with wireless headphones and multiple music channels.
Saturday's festivities start early with the Homecoming 5K at 8 a.m. from the Recreation Center, followed by Breakfast at Holmes from 8-11 a.m. in the newly renovated Holmes Dining Hall ($18.50 all-you-can-eat).
The Homecoming Parade steps off at 11 a.m., traveling from the C parking lot to the Nottingham Field parking lot. Student groups, campus departments and community participants are invited to take part; those interested can email upc@unco.edu for more information.
Volleyball returns to action at noon as the Bears host Montana State at Bank of Colorado Arena.
The afternoon centers on the pregame experience. The Homecoming Tailgate runs 2-6 p.m. north of Nottingham Field, with snacks, games, giveaways and a complimentary beverage at the Alumni Association while supplies last. Parking is $10 in M Lot and $5 in L/Y Lot, with other lots free.
Taste of UNC follows from 3-5 p.m. on Michener Lawn, offering a variety of food and beverages for purchase, plus a beer garden.
Football Closes the Weekend Saturday Night
The celebration builds to UNC Football vs. Utah Tech at 6 p.m. Saturday at Nottingham Field, the marquee event of the weekend and the Bears' second consecutive home game.
Northern Colorado enters the matchup riding the momentum of a 23-17 overtime win over Northeastern State, the program's first victory of the season and its first overtime win since September 2025. Justin Guin scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime, Marcus Mozer caught eight passes for 129 yards and two scores, and Landon Richardson drilled a 48-yard field goal with 14 seconds left in regulation to force the extra period.
The Bears will look to carry that momentum into a Utah Tech matchup that head coach Ed Lamb has described as a significant test, noting that the Trailblazers are much improved from a year ago and that few programs in the FBS or FCS would have a better record against the schedule Utah Tech has played.
Game and season tickets are available through the UNC Ticket Office. The 20% Homecoming merchandise discount is also available at the football game.
Most Homecoming events are open to alumni, students, family and friends, faculty and staff, with a handful of activities designated for specific groups.
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Volleyball Tips Off Thursday's Action
The Bears' volleyball team headlines Thursday's Homecoming events, hosting Montana at 6 p.m. at Bank of Colorado Arena. Northern Colorado is back on its home floor Saturday, Sept. 26, when it takes on Montana State at 12 p.m. giving fans a full weekend of Big Sky volleyball.
Also continuing Thursday: Space Dodgeball takes over the Lower Practice Fields from 8-9 p.m., with participants encouraged to wear clothing that glows under black light, and students can watch residence hall teams compete in MicroChill Chopped, a cooking competition running 7-8:30 p.m. in the South Hall first-floor lobby.
Friday is packed from morning to night. Blue and Gold Friday invites the entire campus community to wear Bear gear, supported by a 20% discount on UNC merchandise at the University Center Bookstore and at volleyball and football games from Thursday through Saturday.
The evening lineup begins with the Bear Community Social from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the University Center's Panorama Ballroom, a gathering for alumni and families of current Bears featuring food, drinks and music. Also offered that evening, Celebremos:
Three Years of Latinx Music at UNC runs 7:30-9 p.m. in the Campus Commons Performance Hall, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the Latin Beat Ensemble's season-opening concert.
The Pep Rally kicks off at 7 p.m. on the University Center West Patio, featuring free s'mores, performances from the Sugar Bears, UNC Cheer and the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band, and messages from the head football coach Ed Lamb and head volleyball coach Lyndsey Oates. Immediately following at 7:50 p.m., the Drone Show lights up the sky over the UC West Patio with hundreds of synchronized drones.
The night closes with Area 51 After Hours, a silent disco running 8-11 p.m. in the Campus Commons Lobby, complete with wireless headphones and multiple music channels.
Saturday's festivities start early with the Homecoming 5K at 8 a.m. from the Recreation Center, followed by Breakfast at Holmes from 8-11 a.m. in the newly renovated Holmes Dining Hall ($18.50 all-you-can-eat).
The Homecoming Parade steps off at 11 a.m., traveling from the C parking lot to the Nottingham Field parking lot. Student groups, campus departments and community participants are invited to take part; those interested can email upc@unco.edu for more information.
Volleyball returns to action at noon as the Bears host Montana State at Bank of Colorado Arena.
The afternoon centers on the pregame experience. The Homecoming Tailgate runs 2-6 p.m. north of Nottingham Field, with snacks, games, giveaways and a complimentary beverage at the Alumni Association while supplies last. Parking is $10 in M Lot and $5 in L/Y Lot, with other lots free.
Taste of UNC follows from 3-5 p.m. on Michener Lawn, offering a variety of food and beverages for purchase, plus a beer garden.
Football Closes the Weekend Saturday Night
The celebration builds to UNC Football vs. Utah Tech at 6 p.m. Saturday at Nottingham Field, the marquee event of the weekend and the Bears' second consecutive home game.
Northern Colorado enters the matchup riding the momentum of a 23-17 overtime win over Northeastern State, the program's first victory of the season and its first overtime win since September 2025. Justin Guin scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime, Marcus Mozer caught eight passes for 129 yards and two scores, and Landon Richardson drilled a 48-yard field goal with 14 seconds left in regulation to force the extra period.
The Bears will look to carry that momentum into a Utah Tech matchup that head coach Ed Lamb has described as a significant test, noting that the Trailblazers are much improved from a year ago and that few programs in the FBS or FCS would have a better record against the schedule Utah Tech has played.
Game and season tickets are available through the UNC Ticket Office. The 20% Homecoming merchandise discount is also available at the football game.
Most Homecoming events are open to alumni, students, family and friends, faculty and staff, with a handful of activities designated for specific groups.
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Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, August 29
Tuesday, December 23
