History
The 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."
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.
Homecoming Historical Records
2020s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 2025 | Rocky's Rockin Rodeo |
Dr. James Holloway |
King: Yash Thakare (International Student Association) Queen: Benisha Gurung (International Student Association) |
| 2024 | Welcome to the Jungle |
Matthew Schroeder:
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King: Marquan Denby (Black Student Union) Queen: Mai Mang (International Student Association) |
| 2023 | Heroes vs. Villians |
Tom Amstutz "Toledo Tom": |
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)
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2010s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 2019 | Rocky's Haunted Homecoming | Joy Findley: General Manager of JCPenney |
King: Charles Pelfrey (Kappa Delta Rho)
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| 2018 | Ringmaster Rocky's Big Show | Wade Kapszukiewicz: Mayor of Toledo |
King: Jared Malott (Catholic Student Association)
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| 2017 | Aloha Rockets (Hawaiian) | Bruce Gradkowski: Former UT and Pro Football QB |
King: Daniel Napoli (Pi Kappa Phi)
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| 2016 | Celebrating 50 Years of Rocky | Rocky the Rocket: UT Mascot's 50th Birthday |
King: Lance Price Jr. (National Pan-Hellenic Council)
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| 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)
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| 2014 | A Blast From the Past | Steve Cavanaugh: UT Alum and UT Board of Trustees |
King: Jacob Torres (Latino Student Union)
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| 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 |
2000s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 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) |
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| 2000 | Rocket Pride Worldwide | Marion L. Gibson Lavender D. Krupp (Ayres) |
1990s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 1999 | Michael J. Moore Shanices Chambers |
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| 1998 | James. M. Upshaw Crystal A. Windbigler (Williams) |
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| 1997 | John S. Clark Heather J. Piazza (Fairbanks) |
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| 1996 | Sherron L. Jones Nausheen Hasan - Tie LaTesa Brown-Carter - Tie |
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| 1995 | Taran K. Bhatia | ||
| 1994 | Jeff Johnson Francesca B. Holmes-Walker |
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| 1993 | Kevin Moore Kimberly A. Cromwell |
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| 1992 | Scott R. Scheel Kenji Nogami - Tie Amy L. Clement (Weiss) - Tie |
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| 1991 | Deepanshu Gupta Jennifer S. Baker |
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| 1990 | Ricardo A. King Robin D. Burger (Eyerly) |
1980s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 1989 | Troy Fabish (1st UT Homecoming King) Shannon L. Phillips |
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| 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) |
1970s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 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 |
1960s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 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) |
1950s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 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) |
1940s
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshal | King & Queen |
| 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 |
