Youngstown State University Celebrates YSU Rocks Homecoming

The university recognized significant campus anniversaries with a week of festivities and the crowning of a king and queen.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Awards

Youngstown State University Celebrates YSU Rocks Homecoming

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Youngstown State University celebrated its annual Homecoming with the YSU Rocks theme. Bobby Harris and Julia Fullerman were crowned king and queen to cap off the week of events.

Why it matters

The YSU Rocks theme was chosen to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the campus rock at Cushwa Hall and the 25th anniversary of the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum.

The Homecoming court included 10 members. The celebration featured the 60th anniversary of the rock outside Cushwa Hall and the 25th anniversary of the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum.

The players

Bobby Harris

He was crowned the Homecoming king during the university celebration.

Julia Fullerman

She was crowned the Homecoming queen during the university celebration.

Youngstown State University

This public research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, hosted the multi-day Homecoming events.

The details

Activities included a pep rally, Red and White Day, and a parade on West Federal Street. Student Activities partnered with the City of Youngstown and the Economic Action Group to provide downtown discounts, though some festivities were moved indoors due to rain.

October 14, 2026: The Homecoming pep rally occurred.
October 16, 2026: Red and White Day took place at the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
October 16-17, 2026: The Wear Red, Get Fed event occurred.
October 17, 2026: The Homecoming parade and football game were held.
October 17, 2026, 3:30 p.m.: The Homecoming parade began on West Federal Street.

Culture Shift

The integration of landmark campus anniversaries like the 60th anniversary of the campus rock reflects a growing trend of institutional nostalgia in university branding. This trend emphasizes long-term heritage to foster school pride among current students and alumni.

Residents and students benefited from downtown discounts coordinated by the City of Youngstown and the Economic Action Group during the week. The shift of activities to the recreation center ensured that planned festivities remained accessible to the community despite the rainy weather.

The takeaway

University anniversaries provide a distinct opportunity to blend campus history with modern student traditions. Recognizing milestone dates for permanent landmarks helps reinforce a sense of longevity and shared heritage within the campus community.