CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Utah Tech University’s homecoming week was a trailblazing success, with a variety of events that included the Utah Tech Classic charity golf tournament, a free concert, a ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated Greater Zion stadium, a locker reveal and more.
“It was a great celebration,” said Megan Church, director of university events and promotions for Utah Tech. “A way to bring people together, to really celebrate the team, celebrate coming back, to recognize our alumni and overall just make our first homecoming as Utah Tech one to remember.”
Homecoming week kicked off early on Oct. 31 with an on-campus pancake breakfast for students. The next day, Zoe Sewell, a freshman and criminal justice major from Hurricane, was crowned Miss Utah Tech 2023. She will now go on to compete in Miss Utah, a Miss America-affiliated pageant.
On Nov. 2, a Day of the Dead celebration was jointly organized by Utah Tech and the nonprofit Utah Tech Foundation. The celebration also tied in with DocUtah, an international film festival that celebrates the art of documentary film.
The Utah Tech Classic charity golf tournament kicked off Nov. 3 at The Ledges of St. George. Ronda Neilson, director of the Utah Tech Foundation, said the competition then continued for two days at Sunbrook Golf Club, where the temperature was a little chilly in the morning but warmed up to perfect St. George golfing weather after the sun came out, and an amazing time was had by all. The tournament began with 52 competing golf teams and was whittled down to the final winners, Nick Killpack and his team.
That evening, a sponsored gathering for contributors took place at The Advenire in downtown St. George and featured food by Wood Ash Rye. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to experience a meet-and-greet with country music artist Jordan James. Neilson expressed her thanks to the many sponsors who made the event possible.
On Nov. 4, the Utah Tech alumni and family events began, which included a free community carnival and concert featuring Jordan James. That night, Church said the new locker room at Utah Tech also was unveiled to the football team.
“It was fun to see family, friends, children, everyone coming out and celebrating the start of homecoming weekend,” she added. “To end the night with a Jordan James concert and fireworks show was a great way to kick off and celebrate people coming back for homecoming.”
Nov. 5, the final day of homecoming week, commenced with a large parade down University Avenue, an event Church called a “fan favorite.” This year’s parade brought crowds lining the streets to see the 75 parade entries float by. The parade continued to the Greater Zion Stadium West Grandstand dedication, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with an invitation for attendees to tour the stadium.
A large Utah Tech sign donated by Extreme Foam Works appeared at both events.
After the stadium dedication, Church said attendees experienced the first-ever “elevated tailgate experience” known as the Trailblazer Village. The event featured approximately 60 booths from campus and community members. During the celebration, alumni had the opportunity to speak with former professors and specialized groups like the Blaze Dance Team, who also put on a fashion show that showcased dance outfits they had worn over the years.
“It was packed,” Church said. “We invited people back to really celebrate and reconnect with those individual groups, and it was a great celebration for everyone.”
And let’s not forget that Utah Tech’s football team beat Southern Utah University 48-36 in a sensational homecoming victory to end the week on a high note.
The tailgate party led right into the football game, where Utah Tech played SUU at home for the first time in 60 years. Church said they went “all out” on the halftime show, which featured a rolled-out stage on the football field, a 10-minute Jordan James concert, onstage fireworks and dancers.
“To have the dedication earlier, then feed right into this football game where we took that ax back was not a sad moment for us,” Church said about the homecoming victory. “A good way to just really put the cherry on top of an excellent and really well-attended homecoming week.”
Church said Utah Tech loves bringing the community on campus for various events, such as the upcoming Trailblazer Nation Tree Lighting Celebration that will take place Nov. 30. The event includes the lighting of the campus’ 40-foot light pole tree, tractor and carriage rides, gingerbread decorating and more. Find more information about this event here.
“Being on the planning side and watching everything come to fruition and seeing people really enjoy the experience is a whole other level, and I can’t express how much fun it really was,” she added.
Written by JESSI BANG for St. George News.
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