September 26, 2026
Sept. 25-27, 2026
Come home to Lakeland for a full weekend of events, celebrations, and plenty of Muskie pride! Homecoming 2026 will feature the Alumni Welcome Reception, Alumni Awards and Class of 1976 Emeritus Club Induction Brunch, alumni athletic competitions and reunions, our Homecoming tailgate and game day activities, the Homecoming football game, a new Fifth Quarter celebration with live music, and the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Brunch.
Reconnect with classmates and fellow Muskies, revisit campus, cheer on Lakeland, and celebrate the people and traditions that make Homecoming special.
Whether you're joining us for one event or spending the whole weekend on campus, we'd love to welcome you home!
Wine Education Class & Food Pairing with Rebecca (Wierwille) Miller DipWSET '76 of Napa, California
2-4 p.m. | Location TBD (Main Campus)
Additional event details will be shared soon. Registration is required. Cost is $50 per person and includes a guided tasting of fine wines led by a fellow Lakeland alumna, thoughtfully paired food selections, and a souvenir wine glass. Questions? Contact Sydney.
Alumni Welcome Reception
6-8 p.m. | Lakeview Room & Ballroom A/B, Osthoff Resort
Join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and conversation with fellow Lakeland alumni. Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and the opportunity to reconnect with classmates and fellow alumni from across the decades.
Cost is $25/person. All alumni are welcome. Registration is required.
Please contact Sydney Pingitore at alumni@lakeland.edu or 920-565-1023 ext. 2159 with any questions.
Chapel service
9 a.m. | Ley Chapel
Join our campus chaplain for a 30-minute celebration of faith and remembrance, honoring members of the Lakeland family we have lost over the past year. The service will conclude with a guided walk to the Campus Center Event Space, seamlessly transitioning into the Alumni Awards and Emeritus Club Induction Brunch.
Alumni Awards and Emeritus Club induction Brunch
9:45 - 11 a.m. | Younger Family Campus Center Event Space
Help us celebrate this year's alumni award recipients and welcome the newest inductees into the Emeritus Club.
Membership in the Emeritus Club is reserved for Mission House and Lakeland College alumni whose graduation date was at least 50 years ago. Each year, the newest members of this respected club are inducted during Homecoming and recognized for their longstanding relationship with their alma mater. This year, we will honor the Class of 1976.
The reception begins at 9:45 a.m., with the program starting at 10 a.m.
Cost is $20/person and includes delicious brunch items.
Registration is required. Brunch is complimentary for members of the Class of 1976. Please contact Sydney Pingitore at alumni@lakeland.edu or 920-565-1023 ext. 2159 to register
Alumni Award Recipients
Alumni Band Rehearsal
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Verhulst Band Room
Join the Lakeland band for rehearsal! The band will be playing during the game, and alumni are encouraged to play along with them in the stands! You'll rehearse a few tunes during the rehearsal. If you don't have your own instrument, some school instruments are available. To request an instrument for the day, or if you have any questions, please contact Evan Chancellor, Director of Bands.
Alumni Reunion Room
11 a.m.-4 p.m. | David & Valerie Black Room #209, Laun Center
Join us in the David & Valerie Black Room, located on the second floor of the Laun Center, to take a break between events and connect with fellow alumni.
The room will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature seating, yearbooks, photos, and refreshments. No cost to attend. Alumni and guests are welcome to stop by throughout the day.
Tailgate Lunch & Game Day Food
11 a.m. | Younger Family Campus Center & Taylor Field
Come hungry and enjoy food and beverages throughout Homecoming Saturday! The Lakeland Grill in the Younger Family Campus Center will be open from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., followed by our Tailgate Lunch at the south end of Taylor Field from 1 - 5:30 p.m. Game Day concessions will also be available from 2:30 p.m. through the middle of the fourth quarter. Taylor Field gates open at 1 p.m. The Pub will be open from 1 p.m. through the end of the Fifth Quarter, with beverages available for purchase.
Tailgate Tent Activities
Beginning at 1 p.m. | South End of Taylor Field
The Tailgate Tent is your Homecoming headquarters! Stop by throughout the afternoon to check in with Alumni Relations, update your information, grab alumni swag, shop Musko's Campus Shop, enjoy yard games and family-friendly activities, and get your photo with Musko.
Grab a seat, reconnect with fellow Muskies, or visit one of our alumni team reunion areas. The Lakeland Pub will be open from 1 p.m. through the end of the Fifth Quarter, with beer, seltzers and other beverages available for purchase.
Be sure to stop by the Alumni Relations area to Spin to Win, sign the 2026 Homecoming banner, learn about upcoming alumni events and programs, and pick up some Lakeland goodies!
Alumni Choir Rehearsal
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Verhulst Choir Room
Join the Lakeland Choir for a short rehearsal before helping perform the National Anthem prior to kickoff. Alumni Choir will perform the Star Spangled Banner as part of pre-game, meeting at the field at 2:45 p.m.
Questions? Contact Evan Chancellor, Director of Bands.
Homecoming Football Game
3 p.m. | Taylor Field
Kickoff! Go Muskies! The Homecoming game features the Lakeland University Muskies taking on the Concordia University Falcons!
Taylor Field gates open at 1:00 p.m. Game tickets are available for purchase at the gate. Lakeland faculty, staff and students receive free admission.
Fifth Quarter Celebration - new this year!
Immediately Following the Game | Tailgate Tent
Keep the Homecoming celebration going after the final whistle! Join us at the Tailgate Tent for the Fifth Quarter featuring live music from Zoe G, a Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter performing fun covers from pop to country.
Grab a seat, reconnect with fellow Muskies, and enjoy live music while the Lakeland Pub remains open with beer, seltzers and other beverages available for purchase. Snacks and other items will also be available for purchase throughout the celebration.
No registration required – just stick around after the game and join the fun!
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Alumni Baseball Game
9 a.m. | Baseball Field
Join baseball alumni and players for a friendly competition! Contact Kevin Post if interested.
Alumnae Softball Game
10 a.m. | Softball Field
Join fellow softball alumnae and fellow Softball Muskies for a friendly competition! Contact Assistant Coach Hannah Nelson if interested.
Men's Basketball Alumni Game
11 a.m. | Moose Gym, Wehr Center
Join fellow Lakeland basketball alumni for a friendly competition! Contact Sam Schroeder if interested.
Women's Basketball Alumnae Game
12:30 p.m. | Moose Gym, Wehr Center
Join fellow Lakeland basketball alumnae for a friendly competition! Contact Ashley Lona if interested.
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Brunch
10 a.m. | Younger Family Campus Center Event Space
Join us as we celebrate the newest inductees into the Lakeland University Athletic Hall of Fame. The brunch will begin at 10 a.m. with the program starting at 11 a.m. We will honor five outstanding former student-athletes whose accomplishments have left a lasting impact on Lakeland athletics. Reservations are required. $35/adult, $15/child. Contact David Gallianetti at gallianettidd@lakeland.edu or 920-565-1119 with any questions.
This class includes:
2026 Homecoming Attendees
By Graduation Year
Lakeland is excited to welcome Muskies and fans back to campus for Homecoming! Tailgating is permitted in designated lots. Please review the parking options and tailgating guidelines below before arriving on game day.
Parking & Tailgating Locations
VIP Muskie Parking & Tailgating – Lot G
Located closest to Taylor Field and Ley Chapel. Parking is $5 cash only, with proceeds benefiting Lakeland Athletics. Enter at the corner of North Drive and West Drive. Spaces are first come, first served.
General Tailgating – Lots F & H
General tailgating is available in Lots F and H, with free parking available throughout campus.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available across campus, including within the VIP parking lot.
Tailgating Guidelines
No glass containers are permitted. Alcohol is allowed in designated tailgating areas for guests 21 and older. Outside food, beverages and alcohol may not be brought inside Taylor Field.
Please keep music at a respectful level, clean up your area before leaving, and be respectful of university property and fellow guests. All attendees are expected to follow Lakeland University policies.
Planning for Game Day?
Review Game Day Ticket Prices & Policies and Full Tailgating Policies before arriving on campus.
Questions about Homecoming parking or tailgating? Contact alumni@lakeland.edu.
