Homecoming Weekend 2021 in Review
December 7, 2021
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE -Homecoming and Pickle Classic Weekend are always a great way for alumni to come back to the University of Mount Olive campus to engage and reconnect with their alma mater. This year, many younger alumni brought their children, for the first time, to events like breakfast with Troy and the downtown Mount Olive events. For some of these youngsters, it was their first introduction to UMO. Alumni from the early years returned to campus for the weekend to attend affinity and departmental reunions, the Awards Ceremony, and the Atrium Dedication in honor of UMO Alumnus Gary Fenton Barefoot from the Class of 1959. Current students enjoyed a t-shirt swap, movie matinee, and an action-packed weekend of basketball.
Back in person for the first time since 2019, the 56th Annual Mt. Olive Pickle Classic saw an influx of fans cheering on the home team in true Trojan green fashion. The UMO Men’s Basketball team went 1-1 during the Classic taking home a day two 90-68 win over St. Augustine’s University. The weekend also saw several athletics teams honored for championships earned during the 2020-21 academic year, three Trojans honored with a jersey retirement, and a special presentation on the retirement of the Vice President for Athletics Jeff Eisen.
Fifteen teams participated in this year’s Annual UMO Alumni Golf Tournament held at Southern Wayne Country Club. First flight winners were Richie Hogg ’89, Camden Hogg, Steven Hudson, and Bradley Massey with a score of 55. Second flight winners were Jeremy Jones, Ryan Fields ’08, Dave Morrison, and Mon Vonkchalee with a score of 63.
No matter which event or activity was attended, from the oldest to the youngest, all alumni who returned for Homecoming and Pickle Classic Weekend shared a commonality…their love for UMO. The hugs, the spontaneous laughter, the leisurely walks across the tree lined sidewalks from Kornegay to Henderson, the stories and memories shared, and so much more – each of these moments transcended time and distance, proving that no matter where you go, you can always come home to UMO!
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University is sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
