Viva Moc Vegas Brings the Spirit of Las Vegas to UTC’s Homecoming Week – The University Echo

Its Homecoming season at UTC, and the energy on campus is changing as students approach this exciting time. The week of October 23-30 is full of events, contests, and ways for students to get involved leading up to the big homecoming game.

This years theme Viva Moc Vegas brings the flairs of Las Vegas to UTCs campus. Whether a student has attended homecoming before or this is their first one as a Moc, theres something going on every day.

Homecoming kicked off early on Thursday, Oct. 21 with Get the Scoop on Homecoming 2021 on Vine Street. Students were able to enjoy coke floats while learning more about the event lineup for this week.

UTC junior Katie Ghee is new to campus this year and is excited to see the campus environment amplified during the week.

Im most looking forward to how much school spirit homecoming brings out of students and it makes the week even more fun, said Ghee. The atmosphere on campus is the best!

Homecoming week is filled with fun activities, but also encourages students to give back to the Chattanooga community.

UTCs annual Day of Service was held on Oct. 23, students gathered in the University Center to write letters to veterans as well as make pillowcase dresses for local NICUs.

On Monday, Oct. 25, the Homecoming Kick-Off Pep Rally was held on Chamberlain Field where the university announced the Homecoming Court candidates for this years potential King and Queen. Voting for students is open from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29 and the winners of Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime at the UTC homecoming football this Saturday.

At the kickoff, students got to hear from Chancellor Angle as well as the city and county mayors who officially declared it UTC Homecoming Week. Performances put on from the universitys band and spirit squads opened up Homecoming Week with a student section full of school spirit.

Throughout the week, many Las Vegas-themed events will be taking place, all in true Moc spirit.

The University Center is taking students straight to Vegas for Casino Night in the Tennessee Room. On Tuesday Oct. 26, the space will be transformed into a high-stakes casino where students are welcome to try their hand at various games such as roulette, poker, or blackjack and see where the chips fall for them.

On Wednesday, Derthick Hall will become an on-campus movie theater for students to enjoy Vegas-esque films. In rooms 101 and 201 showings of The Hangover and Think Like A Man Too will begin at 8 P.M.

Closing out the week of festivities is the ARCs annual pool party Soundwaves held on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 10 P.M. Join the fun at the indoor pool and score some free food and goodies as well.

The annual homecoming football game is on Saturday, Oct. 30, this year Mocs football is taking on Furman at Finley Stadium. Students can enjoy the game and hear the announcement of UTCs 2021 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime.

Students are encouraged to start the celebration early Saturday morning by attending the Game Day Tailgate that begins at 10 A.M. The tent will be located right outside of First Tennessee Pavilion with free food and swag available to students. This year the booth will also include a DJ and photobooth for students to enjoy before heading into the stadium.

As exciting as attending these events is, planning them can be even more fun. The Homecoming Student Steering Committee works to plan a student-led homecoming every year with tons of ways for students to get involved.

Jennifer Eaton, graduate assistant for Student Engagement, says students who want to take part in the committee next year can keep up with applications via their social media.

Students interested in joining the Homecoming Student Steering Committee next year should be on the lookout for applications at the beginning of next semester to apply for next year's committee, said Eaton. To stay up to date, those students should make sure they are following our page on Instagram (@utchomecoming) as we post the information in the coming months.

For the full homecoming events schedule, visit https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/student-and-family-engagement/homecoming or access Mocs Sync with your UTC ID to register.

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Viva Moc Vegas Brings the Spirit of Las Vegas to UTC's Homecoming Week - The University Echo