National championship rugby celebration, Jubilee pilgrimage, Alumni Awards among weekend highlights.
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville will welcome alumni, parents, families, and friends back to the hill for its annual Homecoming Weekend September 25–27, 2026.
The weekend festivities begin Friday, September 25, with the sold-out eighth annual President’s Golf Outing at Steubenville Country Club. The Household Life Mass will be celebrated at 4:45 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse, followed by the Alumni Awards Reception at 6:00 p.m. and Alumni Awards Banquet at 7:00 p.m. at the Pope St. Paul VI Event Center in Christ the Teacher Hall. The Student Talent Show will begin at 8:00 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse.
This year’s Alumni Awards will honor four graduates for their professional accomplishments, service, and fidelity to the Catholic faith: Dr. Gregory Bottaro ’03, recipient of the Father Dan Egan Alumni Award; John DuBois ’84, recipient of the Rose M. DeFede Faithful Franciscan Award; Katherine (Irvin ’18) Herrmann, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award; and Matthew Schlater ’04, recipient of the Bishop John King Mussio Award.
Saturday, September 26, begins with the Kelly Roggensack Memorial Races at 8:00 a.m. at Assisi Heights, followed by the Homecoming Mass and Nuptial Vow Blessing at 10:00 a.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse.
The annual St. Francis Festival will run from 12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. around the J.C. Williams Center, Pavilion, and Rosary Circle, with food, vendors, inflatables, and children’s crafts and games.
Baron athletics will also take center stage Saturday. The defending National Collegiate Rugby Division III national champion Franciscan rugby team will receive its championship rings immediately before its noon match against Robert Morris University. Men’s tennis will face Kutztown University at noon at the Belleview Park tennis courts, the men’s lacrosse alumni game begins at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Health System Field, and women’s volleyball will take on Wilmington College at 1:30 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse.
The Alumni Beer Garden for alumni and guests ages 21 and older will be open from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at the rugby field.
As part of the University’s observance of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, a walking pilgrimage will depart from the Christ the King Chapel courtyard at 1:00 p.m. and a blessing of the animals will take place at 2:45 p.m. at the Portiuncula Chapel.
Members of the Class of 2016 will celebrate their 10-year reunion from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Pope St. Paul VI Event Center in Christ the Teacher Hall. The reunion weekend will also include informal gatherings Friday evening and opportunities for classmates to attend homecoming events together.
Saturday concludes with Franciscan University’s Festival of Praise at 8:00 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse.
On Sunday, September 27, Mass with a blessing for parents will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse and at noon in Christ the King Chapel.
For the complete Homecoming Weekend schedule, registration information, and updates, visit Franciscan University’s Homecoming Weekend page. Alumni, parents, families, and friends can also text “Homecoming2026” to 740-762-4991 to receive event updates throughout the weekend.
