Homecoming is a new tradition on Siena’s campus, and this year we celebrated the second annual weekend chock-full of food, fun, and community. Homecoming 2022 occurred Thursday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 13. On Thursday at 7:00 PM, the Women’s Basketball Team kicked off the weekend of fun with their game against New Hampshire in the UHY Center. During the game, the Student Events Board swiped students in as their Coffeehouse Event of the week. Every student that swiped their SAINT Card at the event was subsequently entered into a raffle to win a Yeti Tumbler, a pair of Ray Bans sunglasses, or a JBL Speaker. The winners of the big prizes were announced throughout the game. The Saints ended up beating New Hampshire 78 to 58, starting off the weekend on a perfect note.
On Friday, Nov. 11, the Student Events Board Special Events Co-Chairs got to see their hard work come to fruition at the Homecoming Dance in the MAC. As students entered an enchanted forest at 8:00 PM in their semi-formal attire, the evening of magic began. Students danced and laughed to the music of the DJ and took pictures in the pop-up photo booth in the back of the event space. As the night progressed, food trucks lined the sidewalk outside of the MAC for students to enjoy. The Cookie Truck, Michele’s Charcoal Pit, and Burger 21 are fan favorites of the Saints, and there were smiles ear to ear as they left the dance and the trucks enjoying their bite to eat.
As Saturday, Nov. 21st rolled around, there was much to do around our beautiful home. Throughout the day, SEB and Student Senate’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a fundraiser that supports childhood cancer research, spread their message across campus on Nigro Plaza, Lonnstrom Landing, and outside of the MAC. Families, students, and alumni enjoyed the lemonade and cookies while supporting the cause. Next up was the Homecoming Pep Rally in the UHY Center at 1:00 PM. All members of the Siena community came together to welcome our Women’s and Men’s basketball teams to Homecoming Weekend, sing happy birthday to our very own mascot Baloo, and cheer on a group of our Saints as they played musical chairs. All the while these campus events were going on, the Admissions Team was hard at work hosting the November 2022 Open House, which invited families to attend all of our community’s festivities. At 2:00 PM, SEB and Student Senate hosted food trucks and games on Padua Beach. As students, alumni, and families tossed around bean bags and bocce balls, they enjoyed Michele’s Charcoal Pit and Healthy Cafe’s tasty food. Those that were not in attendance on Padua Beach were in the stands cheering on current Saints at the Intramural Flag Football Championship Game. Spectators enjoyed the popcorn truck and AVI’s Food Truck with hot chocolate and fresh cookies.
The weekend then progressed into perhaps the biggest evening of all, the face-off between Siena Men’s Basketball and UAlbany Men’s Basketball at the MVP Arena at 7:30 PM. Siena students poured off the buses and into the Dog Pound. Throughout the game, the Saints cheered for the green and gold to win back the Albany Cup. Sure enough, the team was able to put the Loud in Loudonville and bring the Albany Cup back where it belongs! After the game, Saturday Night Life hosted a Post Game Snack event in the SSU for fans to enjoy some appetizers post-game. On Sunday, Nov. 13, Homecoming closed out with mass and a reception at the Chapel and the Women’s Basketball Game in the UHY Center. Overall, Homecoming 2022 was a wonderful success for the Saints!