The University of Toledo Homecoming

History

Football QBThe first University of Toledo Homecoming game was played on October 27, 1923 against Bowling Green Normal College. In a historical milestone, Toledo defeated B.G. 27-0. UT alumni originally sponsored Homecoming as a means of stirring support and funds for their "good old Alma Mater."

Bonfire

Over the years, Homecoming has become an annual event that encompasses a whole week of fun-filled events aimed at showing our school spirit. The week includes such traditions as a pep rally, parade, bonfire, concerts, king and queen contest, and the football game.  National acts such as Blessed Union of Souls in 2005 and Simon and Garfunkel in 1968 have played on campus during Homecoming week.

Homecoming Week is a unique time of year that unites current students, University alumni, faculty and staff, and the Toledo community to celebrate pride in The University of Toledo.

Homecoming is The University of Toledo's longest standing tradition and is cherished by Rockets of the past, present, and future.  Student Government was the organization in charge of planning the Homecoming events until the Homecoming Commission became a separate organization for Homecoming 2001.

Past Homecoming Themes, Grand Marshals, and Kings/Queens

YEAR

THEME

GRAND MARSHAL

KING & QUEEN

2023

Heroes vs. Villians

Tom Amstutz "Toledo Tom"

UToledo Alumni, Former football player and coach (2001-2008).  2 MAC Championships, 4 West Division Titles, and 2 Bowl Championships.

King: Dhiraj Mohite (International Student Association)

Queen: Ella Moscinski (Catholic Student Association)

2022

Rockets Flashback: 150 Years of Excellence

Bryan Blair
Vice President and Director of Athletics

King: Keith Nelson Jr.  (National Pan-Hellenic Council) 

Queen: Kennedy Copeland (National Pan-Hellenic Council) 

2021

Rocket's Red Carpet

Dr. Gregory Postel
UToledo President- 1st year in office

King: Valentina Campos Yanez (International Student Association) 

Queen: Selina Ohene Obeng (International Student Association) 

2020

Rocky's Rush to Candy Castle

 n/a King: Yash Shingan (International Student Association)
Queen: Yashika Bohge (International Student Association)

2019

Rocky's Haunted Homecoming

Joy Findley
General Manager of JCPenney
King: Charles Pelfrey (Kappa Delta Rho)
Queen: Farzana Qurban Ali (International Student Association)

2018

Ringmaster Rocky's Big Show

Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor of Toledo

King: Jared Malott (Catholic Student Association)
Queen: Grace Garcia (Catholic Student Association)

2017

Aloha Rockets (Hawaiian)

Bruce Gradkowski
Former UT and Pro Football QB

King: Daniel Napoli (Pi Kappa Phi)
Queen: Mekayla Pullins (Black Student Union)

2016

Celebrating 50 Years of Rocky Rocky the Rocket
UT Mascot's 50th Birthday
King: Lance Price Jr. (National Pan-Hellenic Council)
Queen: Kylie Koesters (Presidential Ambassadors)

2015

Rocket Road Trip - All Roads Lead Back to UT! Dr. Sharon Gaber
UT President - 1st year in office
King: Alex Wisniewski (Sigma Phi Epsilon)
Queen: Sumeya Abdullahi (African Peoples Association)

2014

A Blast From the Past Steve Cavanaugh
UT Alum and UT Board of Trustees
King: Jacob Torres (Latino Student Union)
Queen: Kendra Stabler (NPHC/BSU)

2013

Rocket to the Moon, Stars and Beyond - 90 Years and Still Shining

John-David "JD" Smith
Astronomer and UT Lead for the Discovery Channel Telescope, UT Department of Physics and Astronomy

Gavin Dailey 
Melanie Munoz

2012

ROCK-et Under the Big Top - The Greatest School on Earth Becki Bair
UT Alum and Former Staff, Former UT Dancing Rockette, and Former Advisor to Blue Key and Homecoming Commission
Jangus Whitner
Molly Steller

2011

Wild, Wild, Midwest - Sweet Home Toledo Tricia Cullop
UT Women's Basketball Coach
Matt Rubin
Sarah Dickey

2010

Press Play Dr. Lancelot C.A. Thompson
Former VP for Student Affairs
Alex Wise
Stephanie Gurgol 

2009

Homecoming of Heroes William Koester
UT Alum, Former Blue Key Member and Homecoming Parade Organizer, UT Board of Trustees
J. David Golzalez
Jocelyn Cruz

2008

Rock-et Back to UT Chuck Sullivan
UT Alum and Namesake for the Sullivan Athletic Complex
Kyle Koenig
Breanne Democko

2007

There's No Place Like Home Steve Mix
Former UT and Pro Basketball Player
Carlos Gooden
Andrea Daniel

2006

Building the New UT Christine Brennan
National Sports Columnist for USA Today, Radio and TV Commentator, and Best Selling Author
Michael R. Robinson
Jodi Moorman

2005

Let the Games Begin Chuck Ealey
Former UT and Pro Football Player
Brian Zorman
Ashley Oliker (Sheroian)

2004

UT Goes Old School: Tradition Jim Findlay
UT Alum and Namesake for the Scott Park Findlay Athletic Complex
Rick Miko (Jackson)
Katie E. O'Connell

2003

Bancroft Street Masquerade: Mardi Gras Toledo Style Jon Hendricks
Jazz Legend and Former Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies at UT
Gordon C. Pokorny
Cara R. Sterken (Yoder)

2002

Rockets Across America: Celebrating 130 Years Jamie Farr
Actor and Toledo Native
Isao Sekiguchi
Alexia F. Schneider

2001

Anchored in Rocket Country   Gregory Young
Carrie Anasinis (Price) 

2000

Rocket Pride Worldwide   Marion L. Gibson
Lavender D. Krupp (Ayres)

1999

    Michael J. Moore
Shanices Chambers

1998

    James. M. Upshaw
Crystal A. Windbigler (Williams)

1997

    John S. Clark
Heather J. Piazza (Fairbanks)

1996

   

Sherron L. Jones
Nausheen Hasan - Tie
LaTesa Brown-Carter - Tie

1995

    Taran K. Bhatia

1994

    Jeff Johnson
Francesca B. Holmes-Walker

1993

    Kevin Moore
Kimberly A. Cromwell

1992

    Scott R. Scheel
Kenji Nogami - Tie
Amy L. Clement (Weiss) - Tie

1991

    Deepanshu Gupta
Jennifer S. Baker

1990

    Ricardo A. King
Robin D. Burger (Eyerly)

1989

    Troy Fabish (1st UT Homecoming King)
Shannon L. Phillips

1988

    Dawn Nowicki (Szczepanski)

1987

    Betty Ling Yieng

1986

    Anne Marie Hinkle (Clarke)

1985

    Lisa Marie Wheeler (Casper)

1984

    Sherri Renee Navarre

1983

    Melissa J. O'Neill (Habacker)

1982

    Kimberly S. Klochko (Perry)

1981

    Patricia A. Mikac (Casper)

1980

    Kelly S. Kaser (Hayes)

1979

    Dr. Diane M. Puccetti

1978

    Mary Lou Evans (Rosendahl)

1977

    Judy A. Toth (Kopko)

1976

    Valerie Kaiser (Heidmann)

1975

    Dr. Rosemarie Ohliger Osowik

1974

    Rochelle D. Davis (Bowman)

1973

    N/A

1972

    Anne Mindock (Talks)

1971

    Faye L. Early

1970

    Nancy C. Creech

1969

 Sign of the Times   Judith L. Knox

1968

Rockets Go Western   Cathleen Heidelberg (Duszynski)

1967

    Nancy Collins (Comer)

1966

    Elly Beutler (Pankratz)

1965

    Andrea C. Monoky (Elmore)

1964

    Diane P. Sinclair (Pasch)

1963

    Patricia Green (Schreiner)

1962

    Pamela Sommer (Muir)

1961

    Mary Lou Mollin (Welter)

1960

    Sandra Jones (Underwood)

1959

    Patsy Radunz Camp

1958

    Janell A. Maeder Falter

1957

    Patricia Shinaver (Rankin)

1956

    Doris Moore

1955

    Patricia A. Perez (Moulton)

1954

    Polly Jo Collins

1953

    Barbara Howell (Mulligan)

1952

    June (Foltz) Heidtman

1951

    Betty A. Barron (Adams)

1950

    Suzanne Schneider (Lattin)

1949

    Patricia A. Conklin (Deviney)

1948

    Patsy J. Girkins (Stacey)

1947

    Celia Koontz Findlay

1946

    Martha L. Seubert Deshetler

1945

    Jane (Dorothy) Robinson (Brechenser)

1944

    Barbara MacKinnion

1943

    N/A

1942

    N/A

1941

    N/A

1940

    Carolyn Meyers

 

Last Updated: 3/5/24