Linfield University’s 2024 Homecoming Weekend includes more than 30 events on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12. All Wildcats are invited to return to the iconic McMinnville campus to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the university mascot, the 2024 Alumni Award winners and — hopefully — the extension of a 49-year winning streak over Northwest Conference rivals Lewis & Clark College.
While most events are free, registration is required. A full list of events is available on the homecoming website.
Wildcats for 100 years:
Linfield officially adopted the Wildcats as its mascot in 1924, and Mack will be celebrating his 100th birthday in style. The festivities start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Streak Street. Attendees can sing happy birthday, grab a photo, and even snag some stickers and temporary tattoos.
Homecoming football game vs. Lewis & Clark College:
One of the few traditions older than Mack is an athletic rivalry with the Pios, which stretches back to Nov. 30, 1901 — Linfield was defeated at an away game 0-11. Since then, the Wildcats have gone 68-19-1, with a 45-game winning streak that started in 1974. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Saturday at Maxwell Field. Tickets – $15 for general admission or $25 for reserved seating – are available online at https://linfieldsports.universitytickets.com/.
Alumni awards and celebrations:
Each year, Linfield alumni are honored across four categories. This year’s recipients include Outstanding Young Alumnus Miriam Vargas Corona ’14, the Alumni Service Award winner Kerry Carmody ’73, Distinguished Nursing Alumnus of the Year Desi Shubin ’96, and Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Lance Lopes ’85.
Related: Learn more about the 2024 Alumni Award winners
Vargas will present on her experience as a first-generation student and the importance of embracing and leveraging our personal experiences at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 in T.J. Day 219.
Following her presentation, Lopes will present at 4 p.m. in T.J. Day 222. He will reflect on his career of ‘firsts’ in the sports industry, including helping found the Seattle Sounders and being the first employee of the start-up that would become StubHub.
All winners will be honored that evening at the Linfield’s Finest celebration. Attendees will hear from those who know the winners best while enjoying food, wine and the company of the Linfield community. There is no cost, but registration is recommended.
Milestone class year reunions:
On Saturday afternoon and evening, the classes of 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014 will gather in various restaurants and tasting rooms around McMinnville to reminisce and catch-up. See full details and costs on the homecoming website.
This year, one athletic team has a special celebration: the 1984 National Champion football team will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday between the HHPA Complex and Rutschman Field House before the game as VIP guests.
Other highlights:
Events are free unless otherwise noted, but registration is highly recommended. Please see the full schedule on the homecoming website.
Friday, Oct. 11:
- Acorn to Oak wine tasting: The student-operated wine tasting room on Third Street will be pouring some of Oregon’s signature wines. 1:30-3:30 p.m.; $20.
- Alumni baseball game: 1 p.m. batting practice and a 2 p.m. game on at Roy Helser Field.
- Majestic Tree Week walk: Join students from the award-winning annual competition to determine the most majestic of Linfield’s 2,400-plus trees. See this year’s eight contenders, with Linfield faculty members supplying additional biological and historical information. Meet at 5 p.m. in front of T.J. Day Hall.
- Soccer matches vs. George Fox: The men’s team will play at 5 p.m., with the women’s team following at 7:45 p.m. at the Soccer-Lacrosse Complex.
- Fall Chorale Concert: The Linfield Concert Choir and Wildcat Glee will team up for a free concert open to all. 7 p.m. in Richard & Lucille Ice Auditorium (inside Melrose Hall).
Saturday, Oct. 12:
- Alumni swim meet: Calling all aquatic Wildcats! Meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Linfield Aquatic Center for some friendly competition.
- Campus tours: Join current Linfield students to tour the campus, including the new W.M. Keck Science Complex. Reminisce on what has changed and what’s just the same. Meet at the Welcome Tent near Riley Campus Center at 11 a.m.
- Meet Athletic Director Scott Brosius ’01: Linfield’s new athletic director is also one of the most storied Wildcats in history! Come hear his plans for the future of Linfield Athletics at 11 a.m. in the All-Alumni Tent on Streak Street. Then, grab a free Linfield luggage tag after checking in with Alumni Relations.
