Francis Marion kicks off Homecoming '19

Francis Marion University’s 2019 Homecoming week started with a bash Monday night and will conclude with Saturday’s Homecoming day festivities on Feb. 23. 

The highlight of the week-long celebration will be Saturday’s basketball doubleheader with the men’s and women’s teams squaring off against Flagler College in a Peach Belt Conference rivalry in the Smith University Center gym. The women’s game begins at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s game will follow, starting approximately at 3:30.

Induction ceremonies for the FMU Athletics Hall of Fame will take place between the women’s and women’s games. This year’s inductee is former Patriot softball catcher Laurie Niego Mancari (’03).

The Homecoming king and queen will be crowned following the men’s game.

Admission to the basketball games is free.

Pre-game tailgating, another Homecoming tradition, will begin at 11 a.m. at the fields adjacent to the University Center and conclude at 7 p.m. Food trucks will add to the offerings at this year’s event. There is a fee for tailgating spots.

A Homecoming parade through campus is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Patriot Fest, set to begin at noon p.m., will feature live music and entertainment at the University Center lawn.

Saturday’s schedule also includes baseball and softball games. Francis Marion’s baseball team will take on USC Aiken at 2 p.m. The softball team will play two games Saturday, first against West Liberty at 1 p.m., followed by Alderson Broaddus University at 5 p.m.

The Patriot tennis team will face Barton University at noon on the Kassab Courts.

The FMU Athletic Department will sponsor the 21st-annual Swamp Fox Club Benefit Silent Auction, featuring sports memorabilia and merchandise, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Smith University Center gymnasium. All proceeds from the auction will support Patriot athletics. The Patriot Bookstore in the Smith University Center will offer special Homecoming sales all day on Saturday.

For more information about Homecoming activities Feb. 18-23, visit FMU’s homecoming webpage or contact the office of Alumni Affairs at 843.661.1228.

February 19, 2019

6 p.m. – Education Alumni Reception @ The Cottage

February 20, 2019

7 p.m. – FMU’s Got Talent @ The FMU PAC

February 21, 2019

7 p.m. – Patriot Bonfire @ The University Center Fields

7:30 p.m. – Bonfire After-Party @ The University Center

February 22, 2019

5 p.m. – Softball vs. Queens University @ Griffin Athletic Complex

6 p.m. – Baseball vs. USC Aiken @ Sparrow Stadium

8 p.m. – Homecoming Eve in Downtown Florence

February 23, 2019

11 a.m. – Homecoming Tailgating Begins at the University Center Fields

11:45 a.m. – Homecoming Parade @ Heyward and Alumni drives

Noon – Tennis vs. Barton @ Kassab Courts

Noon – Patriot Fest @ The University Center Lawn

1 p.m. – Softball vs. West Liberty University @ Griffin Athletic Complex

1 p.m. – Silent Auction @ University Center Gym (Ends at halftime of men’s basketball game)

1:30 p.m. – Women’s basketball vs. Flagler College @ University Center Gym

2 p.m. – Baseball vs. USC Aiken @ Sparrow Stadium

3:30 p.m. – Men’s basketball vs. Flagler College @ University Center Gym

5 p.m. – Softball vs. Alderson Broaddus University @ Griffin Athletic Complex

7:30 p.m. – Second City Comedy Tour @ The FMU PAC