Rangers Ready to Get ‘Rowdy Under the Big Top’ for Homecoming Oct. 23-25

September 26, 2025

Members of the 2024 Northwestern Student Government Association (left to right) Harlie Altland, Chloe Bradt, Brayden Stoner, adviser Kaylea Brown, and America Rios at the Homecoming Bonfire.

ALVA, Okla. — The Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma State University are ready to get “Rowdy Under the Big Top” for Homecoming October 23-25, 2025.

Up-to-date information on all things Homecoming may be found at www.nwosu.edu/homecoming including registration forms for a number of the events taking place.

Homecoming buttons are now on sale for $10. Buttons are the main source of funding for the celebration. Buttons can be used for admission to Miss Cinderella events and the football game, a $35 value. Over 35 Alva merchants will be offering discounts to those who make purchases at their businesses during the week of Homecoming.

Buttons are available for sale at the Alva Chamber of Commerce, Alva Vision Clinic, Bates & Co., Holder Drug, J.R. Holder Wellness Center, La Dee Da, Northwestern Bookstore, Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association offices and Rialto Cinema. A list of discounts is available on the homecoming webpage.

Event planners continue to accept entries in the float competition for the Oct. 25 parade in downtown Alva that will begin at 10 a.m. Entry forms and float sketches must be submitted no later than Wednesday, Oct. 22 by noon.

All groups participating in the float competition will receive a $200 incentive per float entry. First place in the float competition will receive $200, second place will receive $150, and third place will receive $100. There will also be a President’s Award for the best overall float and an Alumni Award for an exceptional display of “Ranger Spirit.”

The online float entry form can be found at www.nwosu.edu/forms/homecoming-float-entry-form. Questions may be directed to float chairman Dr. Shannon Leaper at seleaper@nwosu.edu.

Several high school and middle school bands joined the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ranger marching band last year for a massed band performance before the homecoming football game.

Bands wishing to march in Saturday’s parade and/or participate in the 3:40 p.m. massed band during pre-game of the Ranger football game should register at www.nwosu.edu/forms/homecoming-massed-bands-registration or contact Xan Perkins, instructor of instrumental music and director of bands, at agperkins@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8191. The registration deadline is Oct. 1.

First-place winners for the bands will receive a $150 award, second place will receive a $100 award and third will receive $50. All bands that participate in the parade will receive a $250 travel reimbursement.

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, pizza and an additional $50.

Anyone wishing to play in the Alumni Band and receive a free Homecoming t-shirt should register by Oct. 16. Please contact the Northwestern Foundation and Alumni Association at nwalumni@nwosu.edu or call (580) 327-8593 for more information. Rehearsal will begin at 1 p.m. in the band room on the third floor of Ryerson Hall.

Pre-registration for the annual Ranger Run, which is a 5K race or one-mile fun run that begins at 8 a.m. on Alva’s downtown square in front of the Rialto Cinema, currently is underway as well. Fees for the events are $20 per person, and race-day registration will be $5 more. Pre-registration is available online at ournorthwestern.org/get-involved/events-programs/homecoming and can also be completed in person at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center. Official Homecoming t-shirts are given to each paid entry. Check-in and registration will begin at 7:15 a.m.

A whole slate of events for Northwestern students also is scheduled every day during Homecoming week courtesy of the Northwestern Student Government Association (SGA).

Tuesday, Oct. 21, is “Games and Glow”, at 7 p.m. on the Northwestern Intramural Field. Students are encouraged to wear their brightest clothes and SGA will provide glow in the dark face paint.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, the first 100 Northwestern students with student id get free admission to Bradt’s Menagerie Hay Maze, and on Thursday, Oct. 23, there will be a block party from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Monroe Street between Coronado and Cunningham Hall.

The “Ranger Rally” Homecoming pep rally will take place at noon on Friday, Oct. 24, 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.

Zoey Roberts of Woodward won the Miss Cinderella 2024 crown. The 2025 Miss Cinderella Pageant is Oct. 23-24 in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall.

The Miss Cinderella events for high school senior girls will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. with the talent show, and the pageant portion set for Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m., both in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall. Admission without a Homecoming button is $10; $5 for Northwestern students with a student id. Children five and under get in free.

On Friday, Oct. 24, the Northwestern Alumni Association is sponsoring its annual Homecoming Medallion Hunt. The website at ournorthwestern.org/medallion-hunt will open at 10 a.m. where participants can receive the first clue. Solve the clues, find the medallion and win $100 in Alva Chamber Bucks.

Friday evening, Alumni members of Northwestern’s baseball team will come together for the “Red and Black World Series,” an alumni baseball game at Myers Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and a free hot dog meal will be provided. In case of inclement weather, the group will meet in the Dunning Performance facility just south of Ranger Field. Contact Matt Stratton at matts@alvastatebank.com or Ryan Hintergardt at ryanhintergardt@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 25, the day’s events start in downtown Alva at 8 a.m. with the Ranger Run, followed by the Alumni Tent opening with free donuts and coffee. Leading the parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Alva will be parade marshal Dr. Ken Brown.

Lunch on the Square prepared by the Rowdy Rangers will begin after the parade on the downtown lawn. Cost is $6 or free with a current alumni membership card. The Northwestern alumni association will have Homecoming t-shirts for sale, as well as Ranger-themed gifts perfect for gameday and the holiday season. Alumni also may purchase their alumni association memberships.

Northwestern Soccer plays East Central University at noon at the Ranger Soccer Field and the Northwestern Football game against Southern Nazarene University is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ranger Field on Saturday, Oct. 25.

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 Northwest Tech Center for an evening of stargazing from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. to finish the week’s activities.

A full calendar of events, a list of Alva merchant incentives where Homecoming buttons may be used plus other Homecoming information may be found at www.nwosu.edu/homecoming.

-NW-

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