NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s 2026 Homecoming will take place next week with a full schedule in which alumni will be honored, reunions staged and the community invited to the parade and pep rally in downtown Natchitoches.
The Long Purple Line Luncheon and induction program will take place at the Natchitoches Events Center on Friday, Oct. 23. Doors open at 11 a.m. Long Purple Line inductees Bryan David Arceneaux of Larose, Edwin Dunahoe, Billy Joe Harrington and Dr. Ronald Owen McBride of Natchitoches, Trey Hill of Baton Rouge and Brenda Williams Webb of Shreveport will be honored. Individual alumni awards will also be presented. Tickets are available at https://northwesternstatealumni.com/event/nsu-long-purple-line-luncheon-2026/.
Following the luncheon, a ribbon cutting and formal opening of the David and Sherry Morgan Sports Performance Center will take place at 3 p.m. at the Donald Kelly Athletic Complex. Visitors will be able to tour the facility that includes an 11,600 square foot weight room with space for more than 100 student-athletes, a 25-foot artificial turf pad, a nutrition center, a student-athlete lounge and offices for the strength and conditioning staff, among other amenities.
The Natchitoches community is invited to the Homecoming Parade of Champions that will begin at 5 p.m. on campus. The lineup will be on Central Avenue and the parade will roll down Sam Sibley Drive, turn left on South Jefferson and proceed all the way to the downtown riverbank stage on Rue Beauport, followed by a pep rally with spirit group performances and an introduction to the Homecoming Honor Court.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, events will begin at 8 a.m. with reception for individual colleges.
The N-Club induction ceremony will start at 9 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall.
Alumni Cheer practice will be from 9-11 a.m. at the School of Kinesiology building.
The College of Business and Technology will host a welcome breakfast and induction program for College of Business and Technology Hall of Fame inductees at 9:30 a.m. in the Natchitoches Room on the second floor of Russell Hall. Inductees are Wes Breeden of New Orleans, Joseph “Trent” Jackson of Shreveport, Laura Terrell Lyles of Natchitoches, Leah Sherman Middlebrook of Bossier City, Terry E. Moore of Shreveport and Keith E. Poirrier of Lafayette.
A reception for Hall of Distinguished Educators will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Commons Area of the Teacher Education Center, followed by the induction ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Middle Lab auditorium. This year’s inductees are Mark Minton of Bossier City, Tommy Alan Moore of Henderson, Texas, and LeAnn Gray Skinner of Stonewall. Outstanding Young Professionals in Education are Jessica Fain Blanchard of Denham Springs, Aaliyah Rachal Seawood of Natchitoches and Dr. Joshua V. Sims of Shreveport. The Friend to Education honoree is Donna “DeeDee” Foster Perot of Natchitoches.
Tailgating at Collins Pavillion and around Turpin Stadium will be from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Baptist Collegiate Ministry will host a Centennial luncheon at the BCM building at noon.
Kick-off for the football game vs. Nicholls State University will be at 2 p.m. with pregame activities starting at 1:30.
Halftime will be at approximately 3:30 p.m. and will include recognition of all alumni honorees, the Spirit of Northwestern halftime show and the presentation of the Homecoming Honor Court. Reese Kennedy of Denham Springs is queen of the court and Nickolas Robinson of Shreveport is king. Court members are Camilia Adger and Parker Stroope of Shreveport, Lorelai Beavers of Minden, Madison Book of Pineville, Keith Gallagher of Blanchard Elizabeth Hardy of Haughton, Ardyn Jardell and Margaret Martinez of Jennings, Hannah Kennedy of Rosepine, Alex Laurent of Lafayette, Jakobie McCormick of Franklinton, Alexa Metternich of Walker, Peyshance Peek of Mooringsport, Joshua Peek and Logan Sneed of Leesville, Kieler Soape of Montgomery Texas, Owen Stutzman of Gonzales, K.C. Thompson of Sulphur, Anthony Ugokwe of Alexandria and Lauryn Vernon of Arcadia.
During the third quarter break, NSU’s 70th Mr. and Miss NSU, Owen Stutzman of Gonzales and Lauryn Vernon of Arcadia, will be recognized.
In advance of the weekend, the weekly Quarterback Club lunch will take place at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Flying Heart Brewery, 108 Mill St., Natchitoches. The event is open to all Demon fans. The cost is $20.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the NSU Food Pantry will welcome drive-thu donations at the Pantry, which is located at Trisler Power Plant on Central Avenue.
A full schedule of NSU Homecoming events is available at https://northwesternstatealumni.com/homecoming/