When the leaves start to turn and the temperature gets a bit chilly, it can only mean one thing: fall is here. With the new season comes many events including the beloved Homecoming week and football game.
According to Homecoming Chairperson Samantha Williams, Homecoming week is purely a celebration of the university and it’s students and alums.
“Homecoming at Southeastern is so important because its that time in the year where all students and alums come together to celebrate their love and spirit for Southeastern,” said Homecoming Chairperson Samantha Williams. It’s a fun week jammed pack with tons of activities and things to do that has everyone on campus smiling and wearing their green and gold.”
Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to participate in many Homecoming festivities leading up to the game. This year, Homecoming week is Oct. 21st through 26. On Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., the Lions will take on the Lamar Cardinals in the Strawberry Stadium.  
On Monday, Oct. 21, students will have the opportunity to have Lunch with the Lions in the Student Union Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students can enjoy food, drinks and many giveaways while dining with the football team and athletics department.  
Monday is also Green and Gold Day where the Student Government Association encourages students to wear their favorite green and gold attire. There will also be a Sheet Sign Competition, which is due to the SGA office by Oct. 18, and Downtown Window Decoration judging.
Window painting must be completed by October 20. The winner’s artwork will be photographed and displayed on the jumbo-tron by the University Center.
On Tuesday, teams will compete in outdoor games at Strawberry Stadium at 7 p.m. in Minute to Win It.
The Campus Activities Board will host the annual Gumbo Ya-Ya celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Park on Wednesday. The 2013 Homecoming Court will also be presented.
This year, Up Til Dawn will be hosting a new event called Roomie’s Race for St. Jude. It is a game that will benefit St. Jude  Hospital, and is based off the television show Amazing Race. The game will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the underpass  the Pennington Student Activity Center.
On Thursday, SGA will host a block party/bonfire and will provide food, music and a pep rally at 6:45 p.m. on North Campus at the University Center field. A Lip Sync Competition will also be held where teams will dance/sing to music specific to their team’s theme in order to gain sweepstake points.
Saturday is Homecoming Day. SGA will organize their annual Homecoming Parade, which will begin at 3 p.m. Participants are asked to start lining up at 1:30 p.m. in the Textbook Rental parking lot. After the parade, alumni and visitors will gather at Friendship Circle to enjoy the game-day spirit and get pumped up for the Lions with tailgating, bands and booths before the game.
The presentation of the 2013 Homecoming Court occurs during halftime of the game. During this time, Homecoming King and Queen will also be announced.