On a partly cloudy day with a crisp fall breeze in the air, over 500 alumni, family, and friends returned to the Hill and students dispersed across campus for the purpose of cheering on Tufts Athletics teams and attending a variety of tailgating events at Tufts Homecoming 2025 on Saturday, October 11.

Alumni—who traveled from as nearby as Medford and Somerville and as far as Norway to reconnect with their fellow Jumbos—were able to enjoy stadium-style snacks and arts and crafts activities while getting free Tufts swag such as foam fingers and pom-poms at the Alumni Homecoming Headquarters in Alumnae Lounge, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement. Alumni, students, parents, and community members alike cheered on the brown and blue as the field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and football teams competed against Bates College—with the field hockey and men’s and women’s soccer teams garnering wins—while the volleyball team won their match against Connecticut College.

In addition, the University Chaplaincy and the Africana Center hosted events, and many athletics teams, including men’s and women’s cross country/track and field, field hockey, and men’s and women’s soccer, held alumni games and gatherings. Prior to the start of the football game—which took place under the lights at Zimman Field—students were able to attend a Homecoming Block Party run by the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate and the Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) featuring food tracks, free swag, face painting, lawn games, and raffle prizes.

"Homecoming is a powerful reminder of the lifelong connection alumni feel to Tufts," said Christina Petrigliano, director of volunteer engagement and alumni programs in the Office of Alumni Engagement. "Campus came alive with alumni games and tailgates, a vibrant celebration of Black Homecoming at Capen House with students and alumni, and smaller circles of friends gathering around shared Tufts experiences like Torn Ticket, a cappella groups, and study abroad."