Homecoming
NWOSU Homecoming
October 8 – 10, 2026
At the heart of Northwestern traditions is the fall homecoming event. The Alva community, Northwestern alumni, current students, faculty and staff, as well as prospective students and bands from surrounding areas join in celebrating the Ranger family. Homecoming events such as the Miss Cinderella Pageant for high school senior females, the homecoming parade, band and parade float competitions, Ranger Royalty, and more are all funded strictly through the purchase of Northwestern’s annual themed homecoming button.
2026 Schedule of Events
Thursday, Oct. 8
Miss Cinderella Talent Show
7:30 p.m. – Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall
Friday, Oct. 9
Ranger Rally
Noon – Percefull Fieldhouse
Red & Black World Series
6:30 p.m. – Myers Stadium
Miss Cinderella Pageant
8:00 p.m. – Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall
Saturday, Oct. 10
Ranger Run (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run)
8:00 a.m. – Downtown Alva Square in front of Rialto
Alumni Tent (Free Donuts/Coffee)
9:00 a.m. – North side of Downtown Alva Square
Homecoming Parade
10:00 a.m. – Downtown Alva Square
Ranger Lunch on the Square ($6/person)
Present your alumni membership card for FREE lunch!
Directly after Parade Across from Rialto
Alumni Band Rehearsal
1:00 p.m. – Third Floor Ryerson Hall
Massed Band Performance
2:40 p.m. – Ranger Field
Northwestern Football
3:00 p.m. – Ranger Field
Starcreek Star Party
7:00 p.m. – Alva Recreation Complex
Homecoming Information
Homecoming Buttons
Funds from the sale of Northwestern’s Homecoming Buttons are the main source of income for Homecoming.
The button is only $10 and grants access to the Miss Cinderella Pageant, Talent Night, the football game, and offer discounts and incentives from Alva merchants during homecoming week; it’s valued at over $35!
Buttons are sold at these locations:
Alva Chamber of Commerce
502 Okla. Blvd. | (580) 327-1647
Alva Vision Clinic
504 College Ave. | (580) 327-2393
Bates & Co.
421 College Ave. | (580) 596-6101
Holder Drug
513 Barnes St. | (580) 327-3332
J.R. Holder Wellness Center
709 Okla. Blvd. | (580) 327-8100
La Dee Da
428 Flynn | (580) 327-0382
NWOSU Business Office
709 Okla. Blvd. | (580) 327-8536
NWOSU Foundation/Alumni Association Office
709 Okla. Blvd. | (580) 327-8593
Rialto Cinema
516 Flynn | (580) 327-0535
Shepherd’s Oil – Alva
1512 Oklahoma Blvd. | (580) 670-6445
Button Chairman:
Karen Koehn
kkoehn@nwtech.edu | (580) 327-7273
Incentives from Alva merchants
Monday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
You must purchase a Northwestern Oklahoma State University Homecoming button to receive these discounts, and wear it at the time of purchase.
- 818 Diner — FREE drink with entrée purchase
- Alva Beer Co. — Win a Rowdy Ranger T-shirt & cup
- Alva’s Market/Moore’s Venture Foods —
8-piece chicken with FREE 2-liter - Bar-S Outfitters — 20% off red or black items
- Bates & Co. — 20% off ONE regular priced item
- The Booze Shop — FREE koozie
- Brickman the Barber — $2 off any service (cash only)
- Croft Chevrolet — Drawing for 2 FREE oil changes
- Dorothy’s Flowers & Gifts — 20% off Homecoming purchases
- Downtown Beauty Lounge — $5 off any service
- The Elegant Toad — Stop by for discounts
- G&G Furnishings — 10% off ONE item
- Gambino’s — 15% off meal (buffet included)
- God, Family, Country — 10% off storewide
- Hair on the Square — FREE eyebrow wax with haircut
- Holder Drug — 25% off ONE gift item
- La Dee Da’s — 20% off ONE regular priced red/black item
- Lazy Coyote — 20% off ONE regular priced item
- Mary Kay — 25% off, call Karleen White at 580-748-2022
- Merrifield’s Office Supply — 10% off regular priced items
- Pizza Hut — Buy 1 large pizza, get 1 FREE 1-topping (dine-in, Saturday only)
- Rowdy’s Liquor — FREE bag of ice
- Schuhmacher’s Copper Penny — 25% off ONE regular priced item
- Shepherd’s Oil – Alva — Buy a button here, enter to win $100
- Showtime Nutrition — $1 off a large tea
- Starr Lumber — Enter drawing for $75
- Sweet Harper & Co. — 10% off storewide
- Taco Village, Inc. — FREE large drink with salad or combo (Oct. 8-10)
- The Top Knot — 10% off regular priced hair products
- The Troubadour — Half-price appetizer OR a FREE drink
- Wicked Grind — FREE cookie with purchase (first 50 people wearing buttons)
- Windy Ford Motor Co. — 10% off service, parts, or a detail
Thank you to all our merchants for participating and making 2026 another great homecoming!
Homecoming Theme
Current Theme:
Red, White & Rowdy
Homecoming 2026 theme submissions are closed. Have an idea for next year’s homecoming theme? Submit it to our committee with the online form: Homecoming Theme Entries
Parade Marshal
Verne Metcalf, 2026 NWOSU Homecoming Parade Marshal
Parade Marshal nominations for Homecoming 2026 are closed. Would you like to nominate someone for next year’s homecoming parade marshal? Submit your nomination to the homecoming committee using our Online Homecoming Theme and Parade Marshal form.
Miss Cinderella Pageant
Since its inception, the Miss Cinderella Pageant has provided a means by which outstanding high school seniors can compete in a worthwhile pageant for both honors and awards of scholarship. This scholarship pageant takes place on Thursday and Friday of Homecoming week, followed by the parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Alva’s downtown square. The pageant has grown in size and significance in northwest Oklahoma and towns along the Kansas and Texas borders.
The winner of the Miss Cinderella title receives eight semesters of tuition and a one-year room waiver at Northwestern’s Alva campus. The first and second runners-up receive six and four semesters of tuition, respectively. The winners of the talent and congeniality titles each receive a one-year room waiver in addition to the one-year tuition scholarship that each contestant receives.
Miss Cinderella Scholarship Information PDF
Recent winners, pageant history, and former Miss Cinderella
A contestant must be a true high school senior female, single, and at least 16 years of age by September 1, 2026. She must never have previously entered the Miss Cinderella Pageant. For a full list of requirements download the entry forms, rules and guidelines below.
Miss Cinderella Entry Forms
- Initial School Letter PDF
- Information and Data Sheet PDF
- Miss C Talent Guidelines PDF
- Miss C Wardrobe Guidelines PDF
- Miss C Pageant Rules PDF
- Miss C Certification of Local Winner PDF
Float Entry Forms & Rules
Every year the Alva community and merchants, as well as many of Northwestern’s alumni, academic departments and student clubs create theme-centered floats to be featured in the Homecoming parade. If you are interested in participating with a float please fill out an entry form, download and read the float rules for your category and the float building workshop.
Float Categories:
- Category 1 – Campus Organizations or Groups
- Category 2 – Off Campus, Non-profit
- Category 3 – Commercial Business
Float Prizes:
- 1st place – $200
- 2nd place -$150
- 3rd place – $100
- President’s Award – $100 for best overall float
- Alumni Award – $75 for exceptional display of “Ranger Spirit”
*All groups participating in the float competition will receive a $200 incentive per float entry. Must participate in the float competition (judging). No “walking” groups (groups with a vehicle with signs and/or walkers).
*Groups in Categories 1 and 2 may request reimbursement for expenses up to $200. Must submit itemized receipt.
Deadline for float entry forms is Wednesday, Oct. 7, by noon
Below you will find the online float entry form or a fillable PDF document that can be emailed or printed and sent to Dr. Shannon Leaper. You are required to download float rules below which disclose information on where floats can be built, float specs and more.
Homecoming Float Entry Form PDF – Fillable PDF Document (If you choose to fill out the Homecoming Float Entry Form please email it to Float Chairman Dr. Shannon Leaper.)
Float Rules per category are found below:
5K Ranger Run & 1-Mile Fun Run
Online Registration Form for 5K Ranger Run and 1 Mile Fun Run
The Northwestern Alumni Association sponsors the annual Ranger Run, which is held on Saturday morning of Homecoming. The 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run begin promptly at 8 a.m. in front of the Rialto Theater on the downtown square in Alva. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m., and official Homecoming T-shirts are given to each paid entry.
All participants will receive a medal. First place in the men’s and women’s division for both the 5K and the 1 Mile Fun Run will also be awarded Chamber Bucks.
Participants also may choose to register and pay entry fee by going to the J.R. Holder Wellness Center and speaking with director Dr. Olivia Lohmann or assistant director Dawson Tidaback.
Student Activities/Campus Contests
The annual Homecoming Celebration for Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva brings alumni and visitors to town each fall during football season. Personnel from Northwestern and leaders in the community join forces to plan the celebration months in advance.
Each year’s homecoming seeks to honor the traditions of the past and the heritage of northwest Oklahoma, offering entertainment features that are continued from year to year, but seeking to make each year’s schedule unique. Many of those working on homecoming have been involved in its production for several years; others are newcomers to the project this year. All work together to make it a success and a source of pride to everyone in this part of the state.
A scholarship pageant for high school seniors to represent their communities takes place on Thursday and Friday of the week, university students take part in special events on campus all week, and marching bands, floats and other attractions liven up Alva’s downtown square for the annual parade on Saturday. The traditional Ranger football game and queen coronation takes place in the afternoon.
Every year there are on-campus contests and competitions. Entry information can be found below:
Student Government Association Events:
- Homecoming Kickoff Tailgate — 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, fourth tier of the Ranger football field
- Spirit Night — 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Student Government Association Senate Chamber, second floor of the Student Center
- Night at the Museum — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Museum of Natural History at Northwestern. Space is limited, so arrive early.
- Stars & Streets — 9 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Percefull Fieldhouse parking lot
- Ranger Rally — noon Friday, Oct. 9, Percefull Fieldhouse
For more information on the homecoming contests sponsored by Student Government Association, contact Kaylea Brown at krbrown@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8423 or 580-327-8146.
Marching Bands for Parade/Massed Band
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Homecoming Parade & Massed Band Performances
Northwestern Oklahoma State University plays host to the Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, during Homecoming weekend. The NWOSU Homecoming Association invites bands to participate in this parade.
Parade Participation & Awards
All bands that participate in the parade will receive a $250 travel reimbursement. Bands that choose to compete will also be eligible for trophies and cash prizes:
- 1st Place – $150
- 2nd Place – $100
- 3rd Place – $50
Prefer not to compete? That’s fine too—your band is welcome to join in the parade just for fun!
Massed Band Performance
Visiting bands are also invited to perform on the field with the Pride of the Ranger Nation Marching Band during pregame and halftime. Together, we’ll play:
- “Ride, Rangers, Ride!” during pregame
- One selection from the Ranger Marching Band halftime show
Bands that stay for the game and participate in the massed band performance will also receive:
- Free NWOSU Homecoming T-shirts for all students
- Free Pizza Hut lunch
- An additional $50
Registration Information
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 25
- More information and the application form are available on Northwestern’s Homecoming webpage under the “Marching Bands for Parade/Massed Band” tab.
If you have any questions about Homecoming, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.
We look forward to welcoming you and your band to Alva on October 10!
For more information contact Northwestern Director of Bands Dr. Corey Burton.
Register Your Band By The Registration Deadline: September 25
Alumni Band
Homecoming 2026 is just around the corner, and we are looking forward to celebrating Northwestern with a rowdy Alumni Ranger Band bringing the crowd to its feet. Please make plans to be in Alva on Saturday, October 10, 2026 to be part of the unbeatable Ranger Spirit.
Our Alumni Band Director this year is Arthur “AJ” Bohlmann, a 2015 Northwestern instrumental music education graduate and band director at Kremlin-Hillsdale School in Kremlin, and a former Ranger Band member.
Rehearsal will start at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 in the band room on the third floor of Ryerson Hall, Alva campus. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
Want to be involved in the Alumni Band? Fill out the form below! Please complete the information and submit by Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in order to reserve a T-shirt in the correct size. More information will follow.
Alumni Baseball
Red & Black World Series
Friday, Oct. 9 | 6:30 p.m.
Myers Stadium
Everyone is welcome!
Dinner Provided
Questions, concerns or suggestions?
Contact:
Matt Stratton
matts@alvastatebank.com
(580) 603-1772Ryan Hintergardt
ryanhintergardt@sbcglobal.net
(580) 761-7607
Homecoming T-Shirt
2026 Red, White and Rowdy Northwestern Homecoming T-Shirt
Youth Sizes: XSmall – Large: $16
Adult Sizes: XSmall – XLarge: $16 | XXL – XXXXL: $18
Wear your homecoming button at time of purchase and you get $1 off!
The tees are available in the Foundation & Alumni Association offices until 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 9. On October 10, the tees will be available for purchase at the Alumni Tent on the Alva Downtown Square, across from Rialto Theatre beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tees will also be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m. during the Coaches Show at the Alva Beer Co.
Alumni Tent & Medallion Hunt
Following the parade at noon in the Alumni Association tent on the downtown square, a $6 barbeque lunch will be provided by the Northwestern Alumni Association and prepared by the Rowdy Rangers. All members of the President’s Association will eat for free. A reception for the parade marshal takes place at the Alumni Tent.
You will be able to register at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 at ournorthwestern.org/medallion-hunt
Please note the webpage will not be accessible until 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9
Ranger Royalty
Ranger Royalty
Northwestern’s traditional homecoming ceremony celebrates students chosen to be Homecoming Royalty including the Ranger King, Ranger Queen and Freshman Queen.
Ranger Royalty Rules & Application PDF
Voting Round Dates for Ranger Royalty:
- Round 1 – Monday, Sept. 21 & Tuesday, Sept. 22
- Round 2 – Monday, Oct. 5 & Tuesday, Oct. 6
To streamline the voting process, current students will be able to vote through their Northwestern student email.
Homecoming Photos
Homecoming Photo Collections
Photos from various Homecoming events have been archived on Flickr at flickr.com/photos/nwosu-rangers/collections/72157721568384563/.
Homecoming Committee
Have questions or concerns? Contact the appropriate homecoming committee member below:
Homecoming Committee Members
General Chairman: Dr. David Pecha
Button Sales: Karen Koehn and Chloe Bradt
Alva Chamber Coordinators: Magen Lehr and JoDe Bradt
Treasurer: Tara Hannaford
Special Events Coordinator: Bryan Miller
Marketing Coordinators: Kelsey Martin and Sean Doherty
Alumni Coordinator: John Allen
Alumni Marketing Coordinator: Kennedy Dietz
Miss Cinderella Pageant Director: Lisa Cline
Ranger Run: Dr. Olivia Lohmann and Dawson Tidaback
Campus/Student Events: Kaylea Brown
Student Government Association President: Maci Flowers
Parade Chair: Ben Orcutt
Band Director: Dr. Corey Burton
Antique Car Chairs: Kellen Bradford and Gary Brown
Float Chair: Dr. Shannon Leaper
To contact an individual from the committee, please click on his or her name to send an email.
Suggestions for Homecoming? Please submit them to Kelsey Martin.
If you have a comment or suggestions you would like the homecoming committee to address please contact Dr. David Pecha.