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A championship baseball team, a marching band milestone and a Fraternity & Sorority Life fundraising challenge headline this year's celebration of BW spirit and community.
Baldwin Wallace University's Bold & Gold Homecoming returns to campus October 9-10, 2026, calling all alumni, students, families and friends to celebrate BW. The weekend includes a parade, live entertainment, food trucks, alumni events and the Homecoming football game, giving Yellow Jackets from across generations ways to reconnect and join in the fun.
Leading Saturday's parade as the 2026 Grand Marshals will be the BW Baseball team and coaching staff. After their third consecutive OAC Tournament Championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III College World Series, the team earned the parade's top honor for extraordinary determination, resilience and a "team-ready" attitude.
"Homecoming is the definitive celebration of Yellow Jacket spirit. Having our champion baseball team lead the way sets the perfect tone for the weekend," said Tony Peebles, MBA '98, BW director of alumni engagement. "Whether you're returning to campus for a milestone reunion or stepping into the Engagement Zone for the first time, Bold & Gold brings generations together."
Friday includes alumni gatherings, the BW Veteran Alumni Cookout, the Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a Cheer Alumni meet-and-greet. Alumni who worked in BW's Safety & Security office are invited to a casual reunion Saturday evening.
Saturday kicks off with music. At 8:30 a.m., the Alumni Marching Band rehearsal and performance at George Finnie Stadium will mark the 20th anniversary of the BW Marching Band's return in 2006; joining them are alumni musicians invited to perform alongside the current band. And back by popular demand, BW Music Theatre will perform at 10 a.m. on the Boesel Musical Arts Center steps.
The parade begins at Bonds Hall at 11 a.m. and ends in the Finnie Stadium parking lot, where the Bold & Gold Festival takes over with a stage show featuring campus groups and food trucks (self-pay, no tickets needed).
The Engagement Zone will showcase BW student organizations and alumni groups. The first 300 visitors will receive a free Bold & Gold passport, which will be stamped as they make their way through the zone. Each stamped passport earns visitors a chance to win a prize.
The day's celebration moves to George Finnie Stadium, where the Yellow Jackets take on the Ohio Northern Polar Bears; the game starts at 2 p.m.
The 2026 BW Fraternity & Sorority Life Challenge is underway and ends at Bold & Gold. A BW alumnus and former Lambda Chi Alpha member kicked off the challenge with a $20,000 gift, asking fraternity and sorority members past and present to participate in a fundraising contest for "Most Donors" and "Most Dollars Raised." The winning groups will be announced during the festival stage show.
From the parade and festival to the marching band's anniversary and Homecoming football, Bold & Gold welcomes Yellow Jackets of every generation home to reconnect and celebrate BW. Students, alumni, parents, families and the entire community are invited to join the festivities.
For the full schedule and registration links, visit bw.edu/boldgold or contact the BW Center for Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement at bwalumni@bw.edu or (440) 826-2104.
