The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ community celebrated Homecoming 2020 with some of events anticipated annually β€” like the Friday night fireworks show and Knights’ football game β€”and reinvented other traditions for the health and well-being of others during the pandemic.

Twins reenact the popular Spider Man Gif, pointing at each other
Photo by Rhiana Raymundo ’19

Twin Day encouraged students to dress alike and share their photos on social media. Christina and Alexandra Adams, advertising/public relations and medical laboratory sciences majors, respectively, got creative by putting their own spin on a popular Spider-Man meme.

Dancers wearing red vests perform on stage
Photo by Nick Leyva ’15

Dance group Ruckus performed during the Fireworks Festival on Memory Mall.

President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright hold microphones on stage
Photo by Nick Leyva ’15

President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright enjoyed their first Homecoming on campus and greeted attendees of the Fireworks Festival Friday night.

groups of people sit on Memory Mall with stage lit up at night
Photo by Nick Leyva ’15

Students reserved their physically distanced spots on Memory Mall for optimal viewing of the show. Additional drive-in style viewing allowed alumni and community members to join the fun.

fireworks over parking garage on ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ campus
Photo by Nick Leyva ’15
Zoom screenshot of Charge On Panel
Courtesy of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni organized a virtual panel featuring an inspiring group of alums who talked about their journeys to success.

Zoom screenshot of 30 Under 30 award ceremony
Photo courtesy of Heather Junod ’98

“We loved having ⁦@ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½_Knightro, ⁦ @ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½Cartwright and so many of our ⁦ @ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ALUMNI and friends join us to toast our 2020 class of 30 Under 30 recipients. Congratulations to an inspiring group of young alumni!” tweeted Heather Junod ’98, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni’s associate vice president.

Zoom screenshot celebrating ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni Shining Knights
Courtesy of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Alumni recognized its Shining Knights β€” recipients of its highest distinctions: Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni, Young Alumni and Distinguished Student β€” during a special virtual ceremony. Read more about this year’s honorees.

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ football team runs onto the field with smoke and fire tunnel
Photo by Terrance Coakley, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Athletics

The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ football team, which boasts the nation’s leading offense, squared off against the Tulane Green Wave.

Closeup of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ player wearing #40 uniform
Photo by Rhiana Raymundo ’19

This year’s Homecoming game also marked Mission IV (the fourth-straight year) of the fan favorite Space Game. The Knights wore special uniforms that gave a nod to the university’s past and current connection to space exploration.

Fans clap in stands
Photo by Conor Kvatek, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Athletics

More than 9,100 fans (limited stadium capacity due to COVID-19) watched the Knights roll to a 51-34 win Saturday afternoon.

Juan Escobar bites race medal
Photo courtesy of Juan Escobar ’12 ’14MA

The U Can Finish 5 Mile and 2 Mile race went virtual this year, and those who completed the race still walked away with their special finisher medal.

Spirit Splash duck wearing a face mask
Photo tweeted by @2letters2words

Although Spirit Splash has been postponed for the time being, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ supporters snagged coveted ducks by donating to the Keep Charging On Fund. More than 300 donors contributed more than $16,000 during the limited-time fundraiser that featured the ducks as a token of appreciation.