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  • September 22, 2026
  • Sean Doherty

Rangers Ready to Get 'Red, White & Rowdy' for Homecoming Oct. 8-10

A smiling Northwestern Oklahoma State University student in a white NWOSU Rangers sweatshirt grips the handle and rides an inflatable mechanical bull with a glowing red eye at night, lit by a stadium light pole, during 2025 Student Government Association homecoming activities.
A Northwestern student rides a mechanical bull during the 2025 Student Government Association homecoming activities. This year's Homecoming Kickoff Tailgate is 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, on the fourth tier of the Ranger football field. (File photo)

The Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma State University are ready to get “Red, White & Rowdy” for Homecoming Oct. 8-10 in Alva, Oklahoma. Student events and Alva merchant discounts start Monday, Oct. 5.

Up-to-date information on all things Homecoming, including registration forms for a number of the events, may be found on Northwestern’s Homecoming 2026 webpage.

Event Details

Homecoming poster reading “We Want You at Homecoming — Red, White & Rowdy! Oct. 8, 9, 10, 2026, Alva, OK,” with Rowdy the Ranger pointing at the viewer. It lists the Thursday through Saturday schedule and the businesses selling $10 buttons, all of which is written out on this page.
The Homecoming 2026 schedule poster. Homecoming is Oct. 8-10 in Alva, Oklahoma.

Monday, Oct. 5:

Homecoming Kickoff Tailgate, 7 to 9 p.m., fourth tier of the Ranger football field

Tuesday, Oct. 6:

Spirit Night, 6 to 8 p.m., Student Government Association Senate Chamber, second floor of the Student Center

Wednesday, Oct. 7:

“‘Night at the Museum’ at the Museum,” 8 p.m., Museum of Natural History at Northwestern (space is limited)

Thursday, Oct. 8:

Miss Cinderella Talent Show, 7:30 p.m., Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall; “Stars & Streets” block party, 9 to 11 p.m., Percefull Fieldhouse parking lot

Friday, Oct. 9:

Homecoming Medallion Hunt website opens, 10 a.m.; Ranger Rally, noon, Percefull Fieldhouse; Miss Cinderella Pageant, 8 p.m., Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall

Saturday, Oct. 10:

  • 7:15 a.m. — Ranger Run check-in and registration
  • 8 a.m. — Ranger Run 5K and one-mile fun run, downtown square in front of the Rialto Cinema
  • 9 a.m. — Alumni Tent opens with free donuts and coffee, north side of the downtown square
  • 10 a.m. — Homecoming parade, downtown Alva
  • After the parade — Lunch on the Square, Alumni Association tent across from the Rialto Cinema
  • 11 a.m. — Northwestern soccer vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Ranger Soccer Field
  • 1 p.m. — Alumni Band rehearsal, band room, third floor of Ryerson Hall
  • 2:40 p.m. — Massed band performance, Ranger Field
  • 3 p.m. — Northwestern football vs. Henderson State University, Ranger Field; Ranger Royalty crowned at halftime
  • 7 p.m. — StarCreek Star Party, Alva Recreation Complex

Registration Deadlines

  • Sept. 25: Marching band registration for the parade and massed band performance
  • Thursday, Oct. 1: Alumni Band registration
  • Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 7: Float entry forms and float sketches

Homecoming Buttons and Alva Merchant Discounts

The 2026 Homecoming button: Rowdy the Ranger in a black cowboy hat and red vest with his arms spread under red fireworks and stadium lights, reading “NWOSU Homecoming 2026, Red, White & Rowdy!” and “Oct. 8, 9, 10 ~ Alva, OK.”
The 2026 Homecoming button. Buttons are $10 and are the main source of funding for the celebration.

Homecoming buttons are now on sale for $10 and are the main source of funding for the celebration.

Buttons can be used for admission to Miss Cinderella events and the football game, a value of more than $35. More than 30 Alva merchants will offer discounts to those who make purchases at their businesses Monday, Oct. 5, through Saturday, Oct. 10.

Buttons are available at:

  • Alva Chamber of Commerce
  • Alva Vision Clinic
  • Bates & Co.
  • Holder Drug
  • La Dee Da’s
  • Rialto Cinema
  • Shepherd’s Oil
  • Northwestern’s Business Office
  • Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association office
  • J.R. Holder Wellness Center
  • Several individuals selling buttons in various campus buildings

View the list of Alva merchant discounts for Homecoming button holders.

Poster reading “Incentives from Alva Merchants! Monday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026” with Rowdy the Ranger. It lists each participating merchant and that merchant’s discount, and states that a Northwestern Oklahoma State University Homecoming button is required. The full list is on Northwestern’s Homecoming 2026 webpage.
Alva merchants offering discounts to Homecoming button holders Monday, Oct. 5, through Saturday, Oct. 10.

Float Competition Entries and Awards

Event planners continue to accept entries in the float competition for the Oct. 10 parade in downtown Alva that will begin at 10 a.m. Entry forms and float sketches must be submitted no later than noon Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Float awards:

  • $200 incentive per float entry for all participating groups
  • First place: $200
  • Second place: $150
  • Third place: $100
  • President’s Award for the best overall float: $100
  • Alumni Award for an exceptional display of “Ranger Spirit”: $100

The Homecoming float entry form is online. Questions may be directed to float chairman Dr. Shannon Leaper at seleaper@nwosu.edu.

Marching Band Parade and Massed Band Registration

The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ranger marching band performs on Ranger Field around the midfield Ranger logo, with the flag line spread across the 50-yard line and a drum major conducting from a ladder, as fans watch from the stands on an overcast day.
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ranger marching band performs during halftime of the 2025 homecoming football game. This year's massed band performance is at 2:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Ranger Field. (File photo)

Bands wishing to march in Saturday’s parade and/or participate in the 2:40 p.m. massed band performance before the Ranger football game should register by Sept. 25.

Register with the Homecoming massed bands registration form or contact Dr. Corey Burton, Northwestern director of bands, at caburton@nwosu.edu.

Parade band awards:

  • First place in each class: $150
  • Second place: $100
  • Third place: $50
  • Travel reimbursement for all bands that participate in the parade: $250

Visiting bands are also invited to perform on the field with the Pride of the Ranger Nation Marching Band during pregame and halftime. Bands that stay for the game and participate in the massed band performance will also receive free Homecoming T-shirts, a free Pizza Hut lunch and an additional $50.

Ranger Run 5K and One-Mile Fun Run

The annual Ranger Run, a 5K race and one-mile fun run, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, on Alva’s downtown square in front of the Rialto Cinema. Check-in and registration will begin at 7:15 a.m.

  • Pre-registration: $20 per person
  • Race-day registration: $25
  • Official Homecoming T-shirts are given to each paid entry
  • All participants receive a medal
  • First-place finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions of both races receive Alva Chamber Bucks

Pre-register for the Ranger Run online, or complete pre-registration in person at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. Contact the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association at 580-327-8593 for more information.

Student Government Association Homecoming Week Events

A slate of events for Northwestern students also is scheduled during Homecoming week courtesy of the Northwestern Student Government Association: the Homecoming Kickoff Tailgate on Monday, Spirit Night on Tuesday, the new “‘Night at the Museum’ at the Museum” on Wednesday and the “Stars & Streets” block party on Thursday.

Students are invited to watch a showing of the 2006 movie in the Museum of Natural History at Northwestern. The number of people allowed in the museum is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

The “Ranger Rally” Homecoming pep rally will take place at noon Friday, Oct. 9, in Percefull Fieldhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Student clubs and offices around campus will participate in on-campus contests during Homecoming week, including the annual Door and Window Decorating Contest and the Sheet and Board Decorating Contest.

74th Annual Miss Cinderella Talent Show and Pageant

Madeline Ryerson, 2025 Miss Cinderella, seated in an emerald satin gown with ruffled sleeves and holding a white envelope, smiles as Zoey Roberts, 2024 Miss Cinderella, standing behind her in a crown, places a tiara on her head. Other contestants stand on the steps behind them.
Zoey Roberts, Miss Woodward and the 2024 Miss Cinderella, crowns Madeline Ryerson, Miss Alva, as the 2025 Miss Cinderella during last year's pageant. The 74th annual Miss Cinderella Talent Show is Thursday, Oct. 8, and the pageant is Friday, Oct. 9, in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall. (File photo)

The 74th annual Miss Cinderella events for high school senior girls will take place in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall. This year’s events feature Jaselyn Rossman, Miss Oklahoma 2026.

  • Talent show: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
  • Pageant: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
  • Admission per night without a Homecoming button: $10
  • Students with a student ID, per night: $5
  • Children five and under: free

Homecoming Medallion Hunt

On Friday, Oct. 9, the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association is sponsoring its annual Homecoming Medallion Hunt. The Homecoming Medallion Hunt website will open at 10 a.m., where participants can register and receive the first clue.

Solve the clues, find the medallion and win $100 in Alva Chamber Bucks.

Homecoming Parade, Alumni Tent and Lunch on the Square

Saturday, Oct. 10, the day’s events start in downtown Alva at 8 a.m. with the Ranger Run, followed at 9 a.m. by the Alumni Tent opening with free donuts and coffee on the north side of the downtown square.

Leading the parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Alva will be parade marshal Verne Metcalf. A reception for the parade marshal will take place at the Alumni Tent before the parade starts.

Lunch on the Square, a barbecue prepared by the Rowdy Rangers, will begin after the parade in the Alumni Association tent across from the Rialto Cinema. Cost is $6 or free with a current alumni membership card.

The Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association will have Homecoming T-shirts for sale, as well as Ranger-themed gifts perfect for gameday and the holiday season. Alumni may also purchase their alumni association memberships.

Homecoming 2026 T-Shirts

Homecoming T-shirts are available for pre-order. Anyone wearing a Homecoming button at the time of purchase receives $1 off.

  • Youth extra-small through large: $16
  • Adult extra-small through extra-large: $16
  • Adult 2XL through 4XL: $18

T-shirts are available:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. during the Coaches Show at Alva Beer Co.
  • In the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association offices until 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
  • At the Alumni Tent on Alva’s downtown square beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10

Pre-order a Homecoming T-shirt online.

Ranger Soccer, Football and Ranger Royalty

Northwestern soccer plays Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 11 a.m. at the Ranger Soccer Field. The Northwestern football game against Henderson State University is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ranger Field.

During halftime of the football game will be the annual crowning of Ranger Royalty for Ranger King and Queen. Freshman Queen will be announced during the Ranger Royalty Banquet and recognized during halftime.

After the football game, everyone is invited to the StarCreek Star Party at 7 p.m. at the Alva Recreation Complex to finish the week’s activities.

More Homecoming Information

A full calendar of events, a list of Alva merchant incentives where Homecoming buttons may be used plus other Homecoming information may be found on Northwestern’s Homecoming 2026 webpage.

Media Contact

Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480

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