‘Game On, Golden Eagles!’: Tennessee Tech welcomes alumni, community for Homecoming 2026
Tennessee Tech University will welcome Golden Eagles past and present back to Cookeville this week for Homecoming 2026, culminating with the university’s annual parade and the nationally ranked Golden Eagle football team taking the field on Saturday, Nov. 7.
This year’s theme, “Game On, Golden Eagles!,” celebrates the momentum surrounding Tech athletics and the university more broadly. The Golden Eagles enter Homecoming week with an 8-1 record in their first season as members of the Southern Conference and are ranked No. 9 in both the AFCA and Stats Perform Top 25 polls.
“‘Game On’ captures the spirit of Tennessee Tech right now,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “We’re making big plays on and off the field by investing in our students, elevating the campus experience and imagining a bold future for this university. There’s never been a better time to be a Golden Eagle, and that excitement will be front and center throughout Homecoming week.”
Homecoming festivities include the Homecoming Carnival on the Main Quad from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, and a full slate of activities Saturday, Nov. 7, including the university’s signature Homecoming parade down Dixie Avenue at 10 a.m. and the football game at 1:30 p.m., when the Golden Eagles will take on Virginia Military Institute.
The Crawford Alumni Center will host a Homecoming parade watch party Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Centennial Plaza. The free event will feature breakfast sandwiches, Ralph’s Donuts, T-shirts, Tech swag, music, spirit activities and more.
Leading this year’s parade as grand marshal will be retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III. A Cookeville native, Dorman is a 1983 distinguished military graduate of Tech. His military career included command assignments from platoon through brigade level and multiple overseas and combat deployments.
“Homecoming is one of those special times when Golden Eagles from across generations come together and reconnect with the university that helped shape their lives,” said Susan Luna Hazlewood, executive director of Tech’s Crawford Alumni Center. “We look forward to welcoming alumni from all over the country back to Tennessee’s College Town. We’re saving a place for you!”
Tech’s Homecoming football game against VMI comes during the university’s first season in the Southern Conference and follows a recent $60 million renovation of Tucker Stadium’s west side.
Homecoming is one of Tech’s longest-running traditions, dating back to 1928. A complete schedule of this year's events and additional Homecoming information is available at www.tntech.edu/homecoming.