30/10/2025
UMO invites alumni, students, parents, and community members to campus for its annual Homecoming and Fall Festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 21–22, 2025. Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company will once again serve as the presenting sponsor for the highly anticipated 2025 Homecoming Weekend, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to UMO and the broader Mount Olive community.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
The weekend tees off with the Alumni Golf Tournament at Southern Wayne Country Club. Registration and lunch begin at 11 AM, with a 12 PM shotgun start. Cost: $75 per player / $300 per team. Alumni and friends are welcome.
Friday evening, Kornegay Arena hosts the opening night of the Pickle Classic Basketball Tournament, one of the longest-running college basketball tournaments in the nation. The UMO men’s team faces Middle Georgia State University at 7 PM.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Start the day with the UMO Alumni Association Annual Meeting at 9 AM in Video Conference Room 114/115, followed by the Alumni Awards Ceremony, Memorial, and Worship Service at 10:30 AM in Rodgers Chapel.
At 12 PM, UMO women’s basketball tips off against Bluefield University in Kornegay Arena.
Meanwhile, Kemp Commons transforms into the festival hub at noon with concerts, food trucks, vendor booths, and a Kids Korner. The FREE concert music lineup includes:
• UMO Chapel Band (12:00–12:30 PM)
• UMO Music Choirs (1:00–1:30 PM)
• Carolina Sound (1:45–2:15 PM)
• Luke Shamblin & Friends Band (2:45–3:15 PM)
• The Amazing Lounge Lizards (3:45–4:45 PM)
• Eli Winders Band (5:30–6:30 PM)
From 1–6 PM, Laughinghouse Hall will host the UMO Student Art Show, Ceramics Sale, and Pottery Demonstrations, featuring student works as well as alumni artists Frank Grubbs and Mary Ann Barwick.
At 3 PM, the Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place in Southern Bank Auditorium, honoring a new class of Trojan greats.
The festivities conclude with the UMO men vs. Emory & Henry University at 7 PM in Kornegay Arena. Ticket pricing matches Friday’s schedule.
UMO President H. Edward Croom said, “Homecoming and Fall Festival is a time of reconnection and celebration. We’re grateful to Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company for returning as our presenting sponsor, and we look forward to welcoming alumni, friends, and neighbors for a weekend that showcases the heart of Trojan Nation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION / TICKETS
Pickle Classic Tickets:
• Single Game Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
• Full Tournament Pass: $18 in advance for the entire weekend, $25 at the door
Presale tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at umo.edu/homecoming.
• Contact Tina Loy in Athletics at [email protected] for more information..
For Homecoming & Fall Festival details:
• Visit www.umo.edu/homecoming for tickets and the full schedule.
• Contact Dwayne McKay at [email protected].