ALVA, Okla. — Family Day at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is Saturday, Sept. 19, on the Alva, Oklahoma, campus. Students in the Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors leadership group organize the event, which brings families to campus for tours, Ranger gear, tuition scholarship drawings, a free tailgate party and Ranger football. Energy Transfer is the title sponsor.
Family Day activities run Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 19. Registration is Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. in the Northwestern Student Center commons area. Families who register receive free tickets to the football game and a chance at additional prizes.
Family Day Event Details
- What: Northwestern Oklahoma State University Family Day
- When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
- Where: Northwestern Oklahoma State University campus and participating businesses in Alva, Oklahoma
- Registration: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Northwestern Student Center commons area
- Cost: Free
- Title sponsor: Energy Transfer
- Contact: Northwestern Student Services, studentservices@nwosu.edu, 580-327-8414
How to Shop for Tuition Scholarships
Families can visit participating Alva merchants to “shop for tuition” and register for a tuition giveaway for the spring 2027 semester. No purchase is necessary.
- Scholarship amounts: $500, $300 and $200
- Registration window: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, through 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
- Families may register as many times as they would like
- Winners are announced on the field during the 6 p.m. football game
- Winners must be present at the game to receive the scholarship
View the Family Day schedule and list of participating Alva businesses
Saturday, Sept. 19 Schedule
- 8 to 11 a.m. — Shopping for Tuition at participating Alva businesses
- 11 a.m. — Ranger women’s soccer vs. Oklahoma Baptist University, Ranger Soccer Field
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Family Day registration, Student Center commons area
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Lunch for Northwestern alumni parents and their students and siblings, Student Center Ranger Room (RSVP by Sept. 16 to sllambert@nwosu.edu)
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Ranger Market open
- Noon to 4 p.m. — Northwestern Bookstore open
- Noon to 4 p.m. — Ranger Race town-wide scavenger hunt (register in the Student Center)
- 2 p.m. — Family Cornhole Tournament outside the Student Center (register in the Student Center)
- 4 p.m. — Gates open at Ranger Field
- 5 p.m. — Tailgate Party, fourth parking tier at Ranger Field (weather permitting)
- 6 p.m. — Ranger football vs. Oklahoma Baptist University
Raising Rangers Family Day Luncheon
The Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association plays host to the Raising Rangers Family Day Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Student Center Ranger Room. Northwestern alumni who are parents of current or future Ranger students can bring their families for a free lunch and giveaways. Register by Sept. 16 or email sllambert@nwosu.edu.
Register for the Raising Rangers Family Day Luncheon
Ranger Athletics During Family Day Week
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Ranger women’s soccer vs. Southern Nazarene University, Ranger Soccer Field
- 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 — Ranger volleyball vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Percefull Fieldhouse
- 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 — Ranger women’s soccer vs. Oklahoma Baptist University, Ranger Soccer Field
- 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 — Ranger football vs. Oklahoma Baptist University, Ranger Field
Free Tailgate Party Sponsored by Energy Transfer
The Tailgate Party begins at 5 p.m. Saturday on the fourth parking tier at Ranger Field. Energy Transfer sponsors the free food and drinks. Northwestern will cancel the tailgate in case of inclement weather.
Family Cornhole Tournament and Ranger Race
The Family Cornhole Tournament starts at 2 p.m. outside the Student Center. Families register inside the Student Center on Saturday.
The Ranger Race is a town-wide scavenger hunt running from noon to 4 p.m. Participants use a set of clues to find locations on and off campus, then take a family group photo at each one. Registration is in the Student Center.
Big Cruise and Car Show in Downtown Alva
The Big Cruise and Car Show takes place Sept. 18-20 in downtown Alva the same weekend as Family Day.
View the Big Cruise and Car Show event schedule
Contact Information
For more information about Northwestern Family Day, contact Ethan Sacket, coordinator of student success at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, at egsacket@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8606. Northwestern Student Services can also be reached at studentservices@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8414.
Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480