By Andre Paras
Managing Editor
The College welcomed students, faculty, families and alumni to campus on Oct. 10 for their annual Homecoming & Family Day, bringing together the community for a day of activities, live performances and Lions athletics.
The day featured activities across campus, including lawn games, a concert on the steps, student performances, photo booths, interactive experiences and even a campus scavenger hunt.
Lions Stadium served as home to not only one, but two games for the day, beginning with the men’s soccer team facing Rutgers University-Newark at 11 a.m. The game ended in a scoreless draw, which extended the College’s unbeaten start to the season to 12 games, a new record for the program.
The College’s football team followed with a 38-23 victory over Castleton University in the Homecoming game. The Lions offense recorded 302 rushing yards, securing the win in front of a crowd of 2,209 people, according to TCNJ Athletics.
Outside of athletics, Homecoming & Family Day offered opportunities for families and visitors to explore the college and participate in activities throughout the day.
Alumni from the College’s Greek life, student organizations, former residence hall floors and more came together for the alumni tailgate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Lots 3 and 4 on campus.
“It has been so fun to reconnect with some friends and see some familiar faces,” said Amanda Colangelo ‘04, a communication studies major. “I love the energy and excitement here at the alumni grounds.”
The schedule also included a concert featuring the College’s concert band, student choir, alumni and friends on the lawn outside the Music Building. More performances took place inside the Brower Student Center, predominantly featuring TCNJ Musical Theatre’s sneak preview of upcoming show “Urinetown,” the College’s a cappella teams as well as various cultural organizations.
Visitors could also take part in a guided bonsai workshop, compete in family trivia, attend planetarium shows and explore the TCNJ Art Gallery. Other activities included a driving simulator trailer outside the BSC, caricature artists, face painting and a sports inflatable on Sundial Lawn.
The College even offered professional spirit photos near the bronze lion statue on campus, for those looking to make mementos of the big day.
The day’s festivities culminated in the 38th annual Lion Royalty Homecoming Court ceremony during halftime of the football game. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a three-week competition to select the top two senior students representing the College as 2026 Lion Royalty.
Amongst ten running, eight students advanced to the Lion Royalty court, each representing a recognized student organization on campus and walking out on field with an escort. Seniors Janelle Estime, representing TCNJam and Estevan Escamilla Zarate, representing Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. won the competition, taking home the crown and tiara.
“Stepping onto this field and through the whole interview process, it was to bring visibility to the organization that means so much to me and to all the children battling childhood cancer,” said senior elementary education and psychology major Estime.
“I give it all to [my family], they’re the ones who were able to get me here. My friends are the ones who voted for me… I wouldn’t be here without them,” added senior finance major Escamilla Zarate.
First runners up were Michael Bulluck, with student government, and Ryan Gensch, with the College Union Board. Second runners up were Aileen Hardy, for Unified Sports, and finally Riley Manfredi, for Theta Phi Alpha.
With activities spanning academics, entertainment and athletics, the annual celebration offered students and families various opportunities to enjoy campus life while supporting the College’s tradition and student community.
