A Temple Tradition:
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we gear up for this year’s festivities!
Fall is now upon us, which means it’s time once again for Temple’s annual Homecoming & Family Weekend! It’s a celebration of cherry and white for one and all. As we look forward to this year’s festivities October 5-11, we’re also celebrating a special milestone for the Temple University Alumni Association: 100 years of connecting Owls to Temple and to one another. So, what better time to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of Homecoming’s traditions and history? 🦉
Relive Homecoming & Family Weekend 2025
Homecoming & Family Weekend 2025 was packed with events, including Tyler Art Market, the Mosaic Concert, Pep Rally, Paley Hall grand opening, the new campus bookstore grand opening, and of course, the main event: Tailgate Village and the Temple Fan Tailgate, leading up to the Temple football game taking on Navy, where the Owls put up a valiant 32-31 effort.
A Longstanding Tradition
Homecoming & Family Weekend is an annual tradition at Temple that ignites pride in all our Owls and showcases the many programs and opportunities that Temple provides. The tradition dates back over 70 years!
Check out this throwback from one of the earliest ceremonies in 1955 courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University Libraries!
⬅️
Homecoming & Family Weekend Alumni Memories
In anticipation of this year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, alumni reached out to share their favorite moments and photos of Homecomings past!
Fun Facts and Traditions
1884
Temple University was founded by Russell H. Conwell in 1884.
Perseverantia Vincit
Temple’s official motto is Perseverantia Vincit, or Perseverance Conquers.
385,000+
Temple University is Philadelphia’s public university, and has more than 385,000 alumni worldwide.
1982
Temple’s official anthem, “T for Temple U,” was born in 1982.
10,000+
Every year, over 20 university partners and upwards of 10,000 attendees join us for the biggest tailgate of the year, Tailgate Village, in Lot K at Lincoln Financial Field.
1925
The Temple University Diamond Marching Band was started in 1925. Since its inception as a 40-member football band, the Diamond Marching Band has grown to over 200 members.
15
Current president John Fry is Temple University’s 15th president. 2026 will be his second Homecoming after taking office on November 1, 2024.
15-5
Temple holds a 15-5 record over the last 20 Homecoming games, having played exceptionally well for nearly two decades in front of a large and supportive crowd.
A History of Hooter
The very first iteration of what would eventually become Hooter The Owl was born in 1977. He went by the name “Victor E. Owl” at the time, and his plumage was much more on the feathery side than what we’re used to in 2026. In addition, Victor did not share the same expressiveness as the Hooter we know and love today.
During the early 1980s, our “T for Temple U” cheer was written, our iconic “T” logo was unveiled and, in 1984, the university celebrated its 100th anniversary. In this same era, the university held a contest to decide a new name for its revamped owl mascot, and thus “Hooter The Owl” was born!
Our lovable friend has lived a long and storied life, complete with feathers, name changes, family members and a whole lot of partying along the way. Expect to see him partying once again at this year’s Homecoming festivities!
Built with Shorthand