SLU Celebrates Homecoming and Family Weekend

More than 5,000 Saint Louis University community members registered for 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend, making it one of the largest events of its kind in recent campus history.

Packed with 30 campus events, the weekend welcomed everyone from SLU's Golden Billikens celebrating their 50th reunions to first-year students at the Legacy Lunch to future Billikens enjoying the family fun area during the pregame celebration.

A capacity crowd of 6,457 attended Saturday's men's soccer game, the second-largest attendance in Hermann Stadium history. That is also the largest on-campus crowd of the season in the NCAA this year and the second-highest attended game overall, trailing only the 8,000+ who witnessed the SLU-SIUE match at CITYPARK earlier this season.

The large crowd saw the Billikens beat Fordham, 2-1, and enjoyed fireworks after game. 

Check out the photo gallery below for highlights from the weekend. 

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The annual SLU Homecoming Golf Cart Parade returned on Saturday, Sept. 23. SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and First Lady Fran Pestello, Ph.D., led the way. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The annual SLU Homecoming Golf Cart Parade returned on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The annual SLU Homecoming Golf Cart Parade returned on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The annual SLU Homecoming Golf Cart Parade returned on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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A SLU student celebrates dunking SLU men's basketball coach Travis Ford on Friday, Sept. 22. The dunk tank was an event organized by the Department of Athletics and the Student Homecoming Committee. Photo by Joe Barker.

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SLU women's basketball coach Rebecca Tillett attempted to sink men's basketball coach Travis Ford during an event Friday, Sept. 22. Photo by Joe Barker.

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The Billiken attempted to sink men's basketball coach Travis Ford during an event Friday, Sept. 22. Photo by Joe Barker.

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School of Science and Engineering Dean Gregory E. Triplett Jr., Ph.D., met with a group at an open house event during Homecoming and Family Weekend. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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Visitors tour the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering building during Homecoming and Family Weekend. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The Carolyn Gioia Learning Lab was dedicated during a celebration of SLU's physical therapy program's 90th anniversary. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The Carolyn Gioia Learning Lab was dedicated during a celebration of SLU's physical therapy program's 90th anniversary. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The Carolyn Gioia Learning Lab is blessed during a celebration of SLU's physical therapy program's 90th anniversary. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The Black Alumni Association Family Reunion, hosted by DICE and the Black Alumni Association, was held Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The Black Alumni Association Family Reunion, hosted by DICE and the Black Alumni Association, was held Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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Past and future students at SLU Madrid gather at an open house at the Career Center. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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SLU's newest Golden Billikens toast at a dinner held for graduates from the classes of 1972 and 1973. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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The men's soccer team beat Fordham, 2-1, on Saturday, Sept. 23. A capacity crowd of 6,457 attended the game, the second-largest attendance in Hermann Stadium history. Photo by Bill Barrett.

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The men's soccer team beat Fordham, 2-1, on Saturday, Sept. 23. A capacity crowd of 6,457 attended the game, the second-largest attendance in Hermann Stadium history. Photo by Bill Barrett.

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The men's soccer team beat Fordham, 2-1, on Saturday, Sept. 23. A capacity crowd of 6,457 attended the game, the second-largest attendance in Hermann Stadium history. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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Fireworks were shot off following the men's soccer game. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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An attendee of the 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend Pre-Game Celebration hands off a prize won as part of the human claw machine game while dangling from a harness. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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A number of activities were held for families at the Homecoming and Family Weekend Pregame Celebration. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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A number of activities were held for families at the Homecoming and Family Weekend Pregame Celebration. Photo by Luke Yamnitz. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

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A number of activities were held for families at the Homecoming and Family Weekend Pregame Celebration. Photo by Luke Yamnitz.

SLU's Homecoming and Family Weekend at Saint Louis University is three days of events celebrating SLU that is always held the last weekend in September. The tradition dates back to the mid-1920s. 

Homecoming brings the entire SLU community together —SLU alumni mingle with current students and staff and faculty. Homecoming at Saint Louis University is also "parents weekend" at SLU where all guardians and family members of current Billikens are invited.