OCTOBER 17, 2024 — UTSA alumni and their families are invited to join students, faculty and staff in celebrating Homecoming & Family Weekend, which runs through Saturday, October 19. The annual tradition is an opportunity for the university community to participate in signature events. It is also a chance for students to network with alumni and learn more about how UTSA prepared them for lifelong success.
The UTSA Alumni Association currently boasts more than 160,000 members worldwide — individuals who are making a difference in various industries, from health care and bioscience to aerospace, cybersecurity and public service. More than 90% of UTSA’s recent graduates opt to stay in Texas. These alumni are working in jobs that are intentionally aligned with the state’s workforce needs.
During Homecoming, current and former students take part in time-honored celebrations while also enjoying new traditions.
The Spirit of the Roadrunner award, for example, recognizes students who excel academically, are heavily involved on campus and in the community, and demonstrate the Roadrunner Creed in their daily interactions. Voting for the award is ongoing through 11:59 p.m. tonight. This year’s Spirit of the Roadrunner recipients will be announced at halftime during UTSA’s Homecoming game against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, October 19.
Additionally, UTSA will host its signature Homecoming event, BestFest. Now in its 47th year, this public festival will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow night on the UTSA Main Campus in front of the Convocation Center. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions and the UTSA Student Involvement Center, BestFest features food, beverages, carnival rides and music. All proceeds benefit UTSA student organizations.
The featured artist for this year’s BestFest concert is the Plain White T’s, whose hits include “Hey There Delilah,” which earned the Chicago-based quartet Grammy nominations for “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” in 2008. The band will hit the stage at 8 p.m.
Additionally, the UTSA Family Association will partner with the Student Involvement Center to host Family Weekend during Homecoming, ensuring that visiting families and their Roadrunners have the chance to join in the festivities of these annual fall traditions.
Roadrunners Football will close out Homecoming Week. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Alamodome. Prior to the game, families can take part in the UTSA Student Indoor Tailgate, experiencing football through a student’s eyes. The tailgate, which will start at 1:00 p.m., will be held in the Alamodome’s Multipurpose Room at the north end of the Field Level.
The UTSA Family of the Year will be announced during halftime. The honorees are chosen from an essay contest highlighting the supportive role families play in the lives of students and the Roadrunner community.
Revelers are encouraged to share their photos of the festivities, using the hashtags #NowandForever and #UTSAHC24.
