Howard’s homecoming crowd had a finish to remember. On October 17, the Bison scored twice in the fourth quarter to beat Morehouse 31–17 at Greene Stadium, where Howard Athletics reported 9,995 in attendance. The week around the game brought a live podcast recording, a student fashion show and a Greek step show. Football drew one crowd; the rest of the program gave people other reasons to come together.
Across seven campuses, homecoming took different forms: a school theme, a close game, a student showcase, an alumni reunion or a fundraising campaign. These moments show what universities and their communities put on display during the 2026 season. They also show the limits of a busy week: attendance and excitement are visible right away; longer-term effects take time to measure.
Howard’s week brought tradition into new settings
1. “Wildest Dreams” Gave Howard’s Week a Common Thread
Howard chose “Wildest Dreams” as its homecoming theme. The phrase gave students and alumni a way to connect their own ambitions with the university’s history and the lives of Bison who came before them. Howard’s homecoming page sets out the theme.
2. Howard Scored Twice in the Fourth to Beat Morehouse
Morehouse pulled level at 17 in the third quarter. Howard answered with two touchdowns in the final quarter and won 31–17. The result gave the Bison a homecoming victory during a difficult season, in front of a crowd of 9,995, according to Howard’s official recap.
3. Club 520 Brought Podcast Culture into Howard Theatre
On October 14, the Club 520 Podcast taped a live Homecoming Edition at Howard Theatre. John Wall, the NBA All-Star and Howard’s men’s basketball general manager, joined as a special guest. The Cathy Hughes School of Communications sponsored the recording and used the event to launch its Impact Hub with Project 68. Howard’s report connected the hub to support for emerging Black storytellers and civic leaders.
For students, the event brought a familiar online sports show into a campus venue and connected it to a university programme.
4. Jordan’s Howard Collection Put School Colors In a Major Brand Catalogue
Howard announced the rollout of its Jordan MVP x Howard University apparel collection during homecoming. Nike’s Howard merchandise page listed co-branded items, including a Jordan MVP hoodie.
The collaboration gave Howard’s name and colours a place in a major sportswear catalogue. The university and Nike did not report sales figures in the cited coverage, so the collection’s commercial results are not yet clear.
5. Student Designers Got a Homecoming Runway
Howard’s annual student fashion show took place at Cramton Auditorium on October 15. The university presents it as a showcase for student creativity, style and individuality. For the designers, the runway puts work before a campus audience; for the audience, it offers a look at what students are making.
6. The Greek Step Show Carried the Divine Nine’s Traditions
Howard held its Greek Step Show at Burr Gymnasium on October 16, with Black Greek-letter organizations taking part. Five of the nine Divine Nine organisations were founded at Howard, according to the university’s homecoming coverage.
Stepping gives those organisations a public stage for rhythm, movement and group identity. It can also introduce the tradition to students and visitors encountering it for the first time.
7. Grambling Celebrated a Century of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band
Grambling State marked the band’s centennial with a gala and concert on October 1. The university said it honoured generations of band members and launched a Centennial Uniform Fund to support the band’s next century. The anniversary fell within a milestone year for Grambling State, which marked 125 years, and for Tiger Athletics, which marked 100.
President Martin Lemelle Jr. spoke about the ties that connect alumni across generations:
Different generations may experience Grambling State in different ways, but we remain connected by this University and by our responsibility to its future. — Martin Lemelle Jr.
Games and Gatherings Across Other Campuses
8. FAMU’s Theme Took Inspiration from The Wiz
Florida A&M scheduled homecoming for October 18–25 under the theme “There’s No Place Like the Hill,” drawing on The Wiz. The reference tied the week’s programme to a familiar piece of Black popular culture and the university’s own Rattler identity.
The week was still underway on October 20, so its remaining events were scheduled, not completed.
9. FAMU’s Step Show Was Set for October 23
The university’s NPHC Step Show was scheduled under the title “Galaxy Games: Journey to the Emerald City.” The concept carried the Wiz reference into a performance by FAMU’s Greek-letter organisations.
The show had not yet taken place at the time of writing. Any assessment of its performances or attendance would have to wait until afterward.
10. Alabama A&M Turned an Early Deficit Into a 61–31 Win
Grambling State opened with a two-touchdown lead in its October 17 game against Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs then scored 44 unanswered points across the second and third quarters and won 61–31, according to Grambling’s game recap.
The final score was emphatic. The swing that produced it came in the middle quarters, when Alabama A&M took control.
11. Jackson State Rallied In the Fourth Quarter
Jackson State trailed Florida A&M 17–12 going into the final quarter on October 17. The Tigers scored 15 unanswered points to win 27–17 before a university-reported crowd of 44,173 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jackson State’s recap also credited the team with forcing four turnovers.
The late rally gave the home crowd a game that changed direction in the final quarter.
12. Prairie View Won with a Field Goal Inside the Final Two Minutes
Prairie View A&M beat Alcorn State 41–38 on October 17. With 1:56 left, Ethan Eddins made a 37-yard field goal after the Panthers drove 47 yards in seven plays. Alcorn had erased two 14-point deficits and taken the lead in the third quarter.
13. Prairie View Reported a Record $6.1 Million In Gifts and Commitments
Prairie View A&M said its homecoming generated more than $6.1 million in gifts and commitments. The university reported that the total included scholarship support, a $1 million endowment for student programmes and corporate gifts from Shell and Dow. It also said the sum contributes to a $15 million anniversary fundraising effort running through July 2027.
The wording matters: gifts and commitments do not mean that all the money had already arrived. Jeff Shaw, the university’s vice president for University Advancement, described the intended use:
These contributions represent more than financial generosity. They are lasting investments in student success and the future of our institution. — Jeff Shaw
14. “Rooted and Rising” Brought Prairie View’s Anniversary Into the Celebration
Prairie View A&M’s homecoming theme was “Rooted and Rising.” Founded in 1876, the university held its 2026 celebrations during its 150th anniversary year. The programme, which ran from October 11 to 17, included events for alumni groups and graduating classes.
Prairie View also tied the anniversary to giving. Its homecoming giving challenge recognised the college or school with the most money raised and the one with the most individual donors.
15. North Carolina A&T’s Centennial Celebration Was Still to Come
North Carolina A&T scheduled the 100th edition of the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” for October 25–November 1. The university listed its October 31 football game against Elon as sold out. As of October 20, the celebration had not yet begun.
The centennial gave Aggies a milestone to prepare for. Attendance totals and the week’s results would only be known after the events.
FAQs
What is HBCU Homecoming?
HBCU Homecoming is a campus celebration that brings together students, alumni, faculty, families and supporters. Schools may hold football games, concerts, reunions, showcases, parades, religious services and Greek step shows. Each university builds its programme around its own traditions.
Which HBCU reported a record $6.1 million in homecoming gifts and commitments?
Prairie View A&M reported more than $6.1 million in gifts and commitments during its 2026 homecoming. The university said the total included scholarship support, programme funding and corporate gifts.
How did Howard beat Morehouse in 2026?
Howard scored twice in the fourth quarter to win 31–17 on October 17. Howard Athletics reported 9,995 in attendance at Greene Stadium.
What was FAMU’s homecoming theme?
Florida A&M chose “There’s No Place Like the Hill,” inspired by The Wiz. Its homecoming was scheduled for October 18–25, with the NPHC Step Show set for October 23.
When was North Carolina A&T’s centennial homecoming scheduled?
The university scheduled its 100th “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” for October 25 through November 1, 2026. Its football game against Elon was set for October 31 and listed as sold out.
