Published on October 21, 2026 at 10 a.m.  

With Homecoming Weekend 2026 only weeks away, preparations are ongoing to welcome alumni from across the country back to campus Nov. 13-14.  

“Homecoming provides opportunities to reconnect with friends and celebrate what makes Samford University special,” said Allison Toomey, director of special events and communications. 

Festivities begin Friday, Nov. 13 with Bulldogs Back to Class at 3 p.m. followed by a brand-new Samford University Alumni Association Open House.  

The alumni association will also host a Friday Night Kick-Off Party beginning at 5:30 p.m. before the men’s basketball game against Wright State at 7 p.m. 

Saturday morning will begin with reunion breakfasts for the classes of 2001 and 2016, along with the Golden Bulldog Brunch. The Class of 1976 will also be recognized for their 50-year reunion as part of the brunch.  

At 11 a.m., tailgating on the Quad begins. As with every home game, fans will gather outside the Ralph Waldo Beeson University Center two hours and 20 minutes before game time for the Bulldog Walk. Come cheer for the Bulldogs as the team makes its way to Pete Hanna Stadium! Samford will kick off against Western Carolina at 2:30 p.m. 

The complete Homecoming Weekend 2026 schedule with event details is available on the university’s website. Tailgates will continue to be added throughout the fall. Alumni are encouraged to check back periodically to see an updated list. 

Email sualumni@samford.edu with any questions about Homecoming Weekend. Links to register for reunions can be found below: 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,522 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.