Family Weekend is now combined with Homecoming Weekend to bring all our campus members and their families together for a high-energy, create-your-own adventure experience! There are so many exciting events for all age groups, such as slurping spaghetti in the MDR, cheering on our Pio athletic teams at Schneider Stadium, and making new friends at local breweries. We invite you to attend any event that piques your interest! Registration is encouraged, but not required. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to embrace the Pioneer spirit both on campus and within the Waukesha community.
Schedule of Events
Friday, October 9
Welcome Reception
1:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Campus Center Lobby | FREE
Welcome Families! Make the Homecoming Resource Table your first visit, located in
the Campus Center Lobby. Grab a free coffee, take pictures with our signature HOCO
balloon display and pick up resources that will help guide you through the weekend’s
events. You can pick up your Family Weekend brochure Waukesha Unlocked community resources
and Mama D’s Free Pastry voucher here. Coffee is available until 4:00pm.
Curious about what's new around campus? Join a guided tour - available on foot or
by golf cart - and see your Pio’s current campus home! Tours available 1-4 pm.
DIY Spirit Wear
1:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Campus Center Lobby | FREE
Come get your hands on some sweet, free Pioneer swag items, like Pio Family stickers,
face paints, and Pioneer tote bags and bucket hats, plus personalize the totes and
hats with paint markers, glitter markers, embroidered letters and more.
Art + Design Faculty Exhibition
2:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Joyce Paddock Bliss Art Gallery, Main Hall | FREE
Explore works by Carroll University's Art + Design faculty and join us for a reception
with light hors d'oeuvres, refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists.
Habitat for Humanity's Spaghetti Dinner
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Main Dining Room | $5/person at the door
See what it's like to eat as a current student on campus while supporting Habitat
for Humanity. All proceeds benefit this student organization's efforts in providing
affordable housing to families in need. This dinner is $5 per person and proceeds
benefit Carroll’s Habitat for Humanity Student Organization. Please pay when you arrive.
There will be vegetarian and gluten-free options!
180th Anniversary Pioneer Party
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Raised Grain Taproom | 1725 Dolphin Drive, Waukesha, WI | FREE
| One complimentary drink per participant. Additional food and beverages available for
purchase.
Join fellow Pioneers for the release party of the limited-edition 2026 Carroll Homecoming
beer, specially crafted by Raised Grain to celebrate the occasion! Enjoy a lively
evening of conversation, craft brews and Carroll spirit.
Head out to the terrace from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for live music by The Van Dwellers or
stay inside the Beer Hall for games and casual fun throughout the night.
Yell Like Hell Pep Rally
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Schneider Stadium | FREE
An event not to be missed, where Homecoming Teams perform their best moves in a dance
battle of epic proportions, competing for first place and Homecoming points. The energy
is unparalleled! You can attend this event and still make it out to the Pioneer Party,
listed above, to celebrate with the Carroll community.
Saturday, October 10
Pioneer Tailgate & Activity Zone
10:00 a.m. | Lot 11 & 12 & Barstow Street – Near the entrance of Schneider Stadium
| FREE
The ultimate pre-game celebration! Families are encouraged to visit one another at the Official Carroll Tailgates area. Maps will be provided in the registration confirmation email closer to the event date for the specific location. We’re turning it up this year with a DJ, caricature artist and Pio swag giveaways. First come, first serve. The DJ and caricature artist will conclude services at 2:00 p.m. for game start.
We don’t have an official tailgate area, but will provide maps of best places to park. The DJ, Face & Body Painting Artist, Roaming Photographer, and Glitter Bar will be between the Tennis Court Lot and the Education Hall Parking Lot. The ultimate pre-game celebration! No matter where you park, we highly encourage families to make their way toward Lots 11 & 12 and Barstow Street to soak up all the Homecoming energy before the big game! This area will be buzzing with tailgates, food, music, FREE activities, and plenty of Pioneer spirit.
Beginning at 10 a.m., visit Lot 12, between Education Hall and Schneider Stadium, to grab a bite from Streetza Pizza or Marco Pollo, our two mobile food vendors. Even better, the first 200 meals from Marco Pollo are FREE, courtesy of the Campus Activities Board!
From 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Van Rix Productions will be blasting tunes to hype up the tailgate festivities. You’ll also find Diana’s Snazy Face Painting & Glitter Bar and Stello Snaps, where you can pose for a custom Homecoming & Family Weekend photo that will be printed on the spot for you to take home.
All face painting, glitter, and photos are FREE for guests to enjoy at their leisure—and the fun doesn’t stop when the parade begins! These activities will continue during the Homecoming Parade, so roam the area, visit other Pioneer families, grab some food, and enjoy everything happening around Lots 11 & 12 and Barstow Street.
Parking near the stadium is limited, and many families will park elsewhere on campus. Specific parking and tailgate location information will be shared with registered guests closer to the event.
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Leaving from the Campus Center Lobby | FREE
Motorized tours available.
Future Pioneers Kids Area
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Main Lawn, Under the Tent | FREE for Kids Under 12
Balloon animals created by Carroll alumna Yolanda Medina '16, M.Ed. '19, cotton candy,
popcorn, temporary tattoos, activities and more await all Future Pioneers!
Homecoming Parade
12:00 p.m. | Corner of College and East Avenues | FREE
Football Game vs. Illinois Wesleyan University
2:00 p.m. | Schneider Stadium | $10
Featuring Music Alumni and the Carroll Choir singing Carroll’s Alma Mater and the
National Anthem pre-game. Carroll Athletics is committed to providing a safe and inclusive
game day experience for everyone in attendance. Check out our code of conduct here.
Sunday, October 11
Carroll Memorial Worship Service10:00 a.m. | Humphrey Memorial Chapel | FREE
Service to remember those in the Carroll community who have passed away in the past year, and in reunion years, as we conclude Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend activities. Fellowship reception to follow in the Narthex.
Accommodations
Carroll University suggests that alumni traveling to Waukesha for the weekend consider staying at local hotels close to campus that offer group rates.
Holiday Inn Pewaukee Milwaukee West
N14 W24140 Tower Place
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Reservations: book online with the group rate or call 262.506.6300 or email hipewaukeereservations@hoari.com.
Individuals must state the group name, "Carroll University," at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.
Last day to book is September 8.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Brookfield
650 Larry Court
Waukesha, WI 53186
Reservations: book online or call 262.342.1500.
Individuals who call must state the group name, "Carroll University," at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.
Last day to book is October 1.
Milwaukee Marriott West
W231N1600 Corporate Court
Waukesha, WI 53186
Reservations: book online with the group rate.
Last day to book is September 17.
Wildwood Lodge Pewaukee
N14 W24121 Tower Place
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Reservations: call 262.506.2000.
Individuals must state the group name, "Carroll University," at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.
Last day to book is September 8.
Contact
Ashley Gabrus
Director of Student Engagement
agabrus@carrollu.edu
