Thousands of JSU alumni and friends returned “Home” on September 28-30, 2018 for the first Homecoming since the March 2018 tornado destroyed the university’s beloved Alumni House - ending a tradition that had been in place since 1982. The JSU family gathered together on the lawn where the house once stood to honor the past and celebrate the future. While the memories made at the Alumni House will be cherished forever, the 2018 tornado took our House, not our Home!
The theme for the week was "Cocky for Governor." Festivities included the annual parade up Pelham Road, a 50-year reunion for the Class of 1968, a 70th anniversary celebration for the ROTC program, a Gamecock Orientation reunion, and numerous other events and activities over Homecoming Weekend.
A downpour of rain didn't stop thousands from attending a sold out ALABAMA & Friends #JSUStrong tornado relief concert benefiting JSU on the Wednesday of Homecoming week. At JSU's Burgess-Snow Field, iconic Country Music Hall of Famers ALABAMA assembled an all-star lineup of talent, consisting of Charlie Daniels, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Shenandoah, Jamey Johnson, Riley Green, Drake White, Home Free, John Berry, Gordon Mote, Darren Knight "Southern Momma," Sixwire, Sweet Tea Trio, and SiriusXM's Storme Warren, who all came together to donate their time and voices to raise funds for the tornado-ravaged university. The historic concert generated a grand total of $1,280,000 for JSU. The dollar amount of the check presented to the university includes funds from all ticket sales, sponsorships and in-kind donations.
Madison Burell and Stone Alexander were crowned Homecoming Queen and King 2018. Completing the 2018 Homecoming Court were Ashlee Goff, Briana Caudle, Dayleigh Dorsett, Camden Swatts, Jakobe Perry, Jack Gehrdes, Eric Cline and Antonio Dix.
The 2018 Alumni of the Year were Judge Randall Cole ’65, Alumnus of the Year; Dr. Danna ''Dee Dee'' Benefield Jones ’88, Alumna of the Year; Josh Robinson '14/’17, Young Alum of the Year; Col. Chuck Buxton ’91, Military Alum of the Year; Jennifer Foster ’94/’96/’97, Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member of the Year; The Black Alumni Chapter, Alumni Chapter of the Year.
The Gamecocks celebrated a homecoming victory over the Austin Peay Governors, 48-32.
