Homecoming a Hit
Saint Mary’s welcomes an epic return of tradition: This was the first Gael Homecoming in nearly 20 years.
Saint Mary's College hosted its first Homecoming in two decades on Saturday, November 19, 2022 with an all-day celebration that featured multiple SMC Athletics contests, a hike to the Cross, a talk by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, Men's Basketball pregame festivities, and more.
“It was great to welcome so many Gael alums back to campus as we restarted the great tradition of Homecoming at Saint Mary's,” said Courtney Carmignani ’05, MA ’07, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement & Events. “Whether it was the festive atmosphere outside UCU Pavilion, the great group of fans, students, and alums who joined ESPN's Joe Lunardi to talk bracketology, or the fantastic wins our volleyball, rugby, and men’s basketball teams earned, the entire day was a celebration of our SMC community and yet another example of our long legacy of welcoming Gaels back to campus.”
Gael students, alums, and fans got a chance to come together around many of the parts of campus that are emblematic of the community that makes Saint Mary's special. Men’s Basketball delivered a win over Hofstra to continue a 5–0 season-opening win streak—and a home winning streak that has set a program best. But truly it was a full weekend of festivities—including a student dance on Friday night, a dance performance Saturday night, and Mass and a Women’s Basketball game against Cal.
Check out photos from the weekend below—and read recaps on the Gaels games that made this a special weekend to remember.
For more photos, head over to SMC Instagram and Gael Alumni Instagram.