Photo by Samantha Davis: The Southwest Minnesota State University football team is welcomed onto the field by a mustang at the homecoming game Saturday evening at Mattke Field.

MARSHALL — The campus of Southwest Minnesota State University was busy with activity throughout last week for homecoming, capped off on Saturday with the annual parade, tailgating, football and more.

There was a lot of fun to attend and athletics to support on Saturday with the SMSU volleyball team picking up a sweep over Winona State University in the afternoon before the football team hosted the University of Sioux Falls in the evening. Although the Mustangs fell short to the Cougars 35-14, both Josiah Hedensten and Colin Maher recorded career-highs in tackles and receiving yards, respectively.

Throughout Saturday afternoon, students, fans, alumni and community members took part in the tailgating and gameday roundup event in the parking lot outside of Mattke Field. There were games, refreshments, a handful of food vendors and merchandise for people to enjoy.

There also was live music this year, with Working Class Hero taking the stage in the afternoon during the roundup followed by a Johnny Holm concert that took place after the football game.

A 5K and 10K race started the festivities Saturday morning at the Track and Field Complex, while the SMSU women’s swim and dive team held an alumni meet afterwards.

There were a plethora of alumni events and class reunions that took place throughout the week, including the Southwest Celebration Friday evening to celebrate this year’s Alumni Award Recipients in Neal Wahlman, Gary Whitney, Rebecca (Sommer) Cooper and Duane Carrow.

Saturday also consisted of a planetarium show and laser light show at the SMSU Planetarium.

The annual homecoming parade took place Saturday afternoon prior to volleyball and football, with a new route that took place directly on campus this year.

Yet, there were several homecoming events that took place throughout the week to lead up to Saturday, including the opening night of The Mustang Kitchen on Thursday, campus dress up days, a pep rally and the fifth annual Mustangs Give Day of Service on Wednesday where students, alumni and faculty spent a part of the day volunteering around town to help with a number of local projects.

SMSU interim president Dr. David Jones also gave the university’s annual state address Friday morning, announcing that the university has seen its highest total of headcount enrollment to begin the 2025-26 school year.

The School of Education also hosted the grand opening of the new Center for Learning Innovation, which houses a new learning innovation lab along with other classrooms filled with new technology, equipment and tools for the teacher preparation program.

Homecoming week brought back well-known traditions while adding in a few new events, and offered opportunities throughout the week for old friends to reunite, and for current fans and students to support their teams with Mustang Pride.