FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — A “new, tremendous” kind of Homecoming! That’s what Tarleton State University students and alumni will experience in spring 2021 since football will not have its full season until then.
Tarleton staff members are preparing two types of Homecoming celebrations, featuring old traditions and the new level of safety required to ensure that students and guests have the best experience possible.
“Spring football is better than no football!” said Tarleton President James Hurley. “We believe that the postponement of our Division I debut is in the best interest of all of our students and alumni. I know we will have an exceptional slate of student and alumni activities to go along with the spring schedule at Homecoming.”
Tarleton will offer a handful of activities at all campuses and learning sites this fall to punctuate the semester with some time-honored traditions. The spring semester will feature a full-scale Homecoming. Date for the annual game and parade will be announced when the schedule is finalized.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lonn Reisman said, “We are doing everything possible to protect our student athletes’ health and simultaneously give them the fall practice time they will need to be ready for the spring 2021 football game schedule.”
Student health and safety are paramount at Tarleton for all students at all locations, and the Roadmap for Fall 2020 plan on the website illustrates the extent the university has gone to create a learning environment that meets students’ needs during this unprecedented time.
“This will be the first time in our university’s history when students get to experience Homecoming traditions in both the fall and spring semesters,” said Dr. Kelli C. Styron, Vice President for Student Affairs. “We are ready to create an atmosphere that allows students the academic setting to thrive in and multiple, safe, social activities that help students develop and grow as responsible individuals. It is an exciting time to be a Tarleton Texan!”
Homecoming plans will be posted to the website once dates and games are confirmed. Students can expect to hear more information through normal channels as the semester progresses, and alumni are asked to stay engaged so they can hear the latest details once they are finalized.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience, marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. Offering degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students, Tarleton engages with communities through real-world learning experiences to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.