The Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl is the star of this year’s homecoming festivities. Collegian file photo.
SAMUEL DEMIS | STAFF REPORTER | sademis@butler.edu
Butler’s 2025 Homecoming is just around the corner, taking place Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28. The Butler University Program Council (UPC) is planning a wide variety of events in the buildup to the football game against the Marist Red Foxes.
Homecoming is not only a time for alumni and seniors to reflect on their years at Butler, but a time for first-years and current students to take a stress-free break and engage with their school community.
Rose Cruzan, a sophomore health sciences major and UPC director of traditions, decided to theme the weekend around Butler’s football stadium, the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl.
“This year, we really wanted the focus to be on the Sellick Bowl and [the] football team,” Cruzan said. “We were debating on the theme ‘Home to Hinkle’, but we realized that homecoming week is not about Hinkle, which will have plenty of its own moments during basketball season. It is really all about Sellick, so we wanted to give it its chance to shine.”
Students will be able to tailgate outside of the Sellick Bowl and celebrate with fellow Bulldogs before the game. Groups will need to make reservations in order to reserve a spot in the parking lot.
Beyond football, there will be many other activities for Bulldogs to enjoy. Among these are the 24th Annual Bulldog Beauty Contest at 10 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 27, hosted by Blue IV, and Butler’s Best, a talent show for students to showcase their unique skills.
Senior health sciences major Adelyn Schafer is especially looking forward to the return of the Bulldog Beauty contest.
“[The contest] was my favorite activity,” Schafer said. “I went with my friends sophomore year and really enjoyed seeing the dogs in costume. I would be sure to get there early to get the best view of the show.”
UPC Vice President Preston Asher, a junior double major in finance and business technology and analytics, expressed his excitement for Butler’s Best.
“[The contest] is a yearly event we are trying to keep going,” Asher said. “Students can show off their talents, we will have trivia about Butler’s history and founding, and at the end, we’ll crown a Mr. and Mrs. Butler and give the winners trophies. Of all the events, that is the one I’m looking forward to the most.”
Cruzan also discussed differences from past Butler’s Best contests.
“Last year [the event] was more of a general talent show, but we’ve revamped it to be more of a pageant style, combining aspects of talent shows, talk shows and trivia in collaboration with the Student Orientation Guides (SOGs),” Cruzan said. “Some of the SOGs will be judges, and some of my team will be emcees. It is going to be bigger and more fun than ever; I’m very excited.”
Students will also not want to miss numerous opportunities for giveaways, from snack packs and a “dirty soda” bar to free Butler University apparel and spiritwear.
“We have over a thousand shirts to hand out,” Asher said. “We actually doubled the amount of shirts from last year; it might be the largest student organization event in the entire school year.”
Cruzan added that she hopes students will take the opportunity to destress from their usual schedules and enjoy a livelier campus for a weekend.
“Homecoming is as fun as the students make it,” Cruzan said. “It’s up to the student body to get out and participate. To me, it’s a moment to take a breather between the chaotic schedule of tests and homework and just have fun with friends. I would encourage every student to get out and participate, because that’s what makes memories of homecoming memorable.”
Above all, homecoming provides an opportunity for students to connect on a deeper level than classes and clubs, learn about the Bulldog way and make new memories. It is an opportunity to be part of Butler history that the community will not want to let go to waste.
Butler is offering a multitude of events to enjoy throughout the weekend. Read more on The Butler Collegian.
