As additions and improvements emerge throughout the Bradley University campus, the institution looks to place a renewed emphasis on homecoming weekend.
“There are so many good things happening around campus under President [James] Shadid’s leadership and his goals to continue to beautify campus and have more connection to current students, alumni, and the Peoria community,” said Jane Walsh, Bradley’s vice president for advancement.
“We want to bring more activity back here on campus, and we think this can be a new tradition that we’re calling the Yard Party.”
The inaugural yard party, running from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday on the Alumni Quad, stands as the centerpiece for three days of homecoming festivities. Activities include an all-day barbecue, pickleball competitions and live music throughout the afternoon.
“I think that Bradley is an essential part of the Peoria community, and even if you’re not a student here or not an alum, Bradley has a lot to offer the community,” said Walsh.
Walsh said when it comes to homecoming, “fun is the name of the game.”
“We want this to be for everybody, so we’re asking all of the colleges to have tables there because certainly when people come back, they like to reconnect with favorite professors and reminisce,” said Walsh.
“We want people to feel excited about coming back, and it takes absolutely everybody.”
Walsh admits there’s a challenge to putting together a grand-scale homecoming without having an intercollegiate football game as the marquee event.
“That is a real thing, for sure. I think Bradley has a lot of other things to offer,” said Walsh “We have this beautiful campus. We’re going to have live music. We’re going to have our sports teams out there supporting — basketball, volleyball, soccer — and we’re going to lean into our strengths.”
Friday’s traditional student-centered homecoming events include the annual “Lighting of the ‘B,’” with crowning of the Homecoming Court and a fireworks display. Additionally, reunions marking 50th, 25th and 10th anniversary graduation classes are planned for both Friday and Saturday.
A sendoff for Wyckoff Hall is scheduled for 11-11:30 a.m., with a champagne toast and final walk-throughs. The building is set for demolition to make way for expansion and redevelopment of the adjacent Harper Hall dorm building.
Immediately before the Yard Party starts, Bradley will hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies for its new outdoor venues: the Zaleski Recreation Center and the Ken & Doris Kolb Pavilion and Jim Rasmussen Stage.
“We’ll be officially unveiling those, which will be really exciting because we’re all watching it go up before our very eyes,” said Walsh.
The Braves volleyball team hosts Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. Friday and Drake at 3 p.m. Saturday, with a rally planned outside Renaissance Coliseum prior to Saturday’s match. The Yard Party wraps up with a rally for the soccer team before its 7 p.m. contest with Bowling Green. Shuttles from campus to Shea Stadium will be available.
Advance tickets for the Yard Party are available for $10, which includes all-you-can-eat from a menu that includes Avanti’s Gondolas. Students can attend for free with advance registration.
“Our message is: Bradley is strong, and Bradley wants to stay in close touch with alumni,” said Walsh. “There’s a lot of good news happening on campus, and we want everybody to be a part of that.”
