Stephen F. Austin State University has a full calendar of events for Homecoming 2026, including the annual bonfire, drone show and concert featuring award-winning country artist, ERNEST.
Stephen F. Austin State University has a full calendar of events for Homecoming 2026, including the annual bonfire, drone show and concert featuring award-winning country artist, ERNEST.
The Student Activities Association’s annual SFA Homecoming bonfire lighting; drone show presented by Sky Elements; and pep rally featuring the Lumberjack Cheer and Dance Teams, Lumberjack Marching Band and Twirl-O-Jacks will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Intramural Fields. ERNEST will take the stage at 9 p.m. This event is free and open to the community.
Prior to the bonfire and concert, SFA’s men’s basketball team will compete against Sam Houston State University at 6 p.m. in Johnson Coliseum.
The week of festivities will begin with the student-focused celebration, Homecoming Kick Off, hosted by AXEperience at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Surfin’ Steve fountain in Sesquicentennial Plaza. A Casino Night will follow at 7 p.m. Oct. 20.
On Oct. 21, the Homecoming Blood Drive will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom. At 7 p.m., comedy magician Michael Oddo will present “Hypnotized!” in the student center’s Grand Ballroom.
Campus Recreation’s annual Homecoming 5K will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 in the student center’s Plaza. The cost to register for the 5K is $20 for students, $25 for faculty and staff, and $30 for community members and alumni. A one-mile route costs $10 for all participants. Entry fees will fund SFA scholarships.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 in Downtown Nacogdoches, followed by the Ladyjack volleyball team’s match against Northwestern State University at noon. The Homecoming football game against Southeastern Louisiana University will kick off at 5 p.m.
Additionally, SFA’s Alumni Association will host the annual online Homecoming Auction from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25.
Sigma Chi fraternity will begin building this year’s bonfire at the Intramural Fields, located at the corner of Starr Avenue and Wilson Drive, and complete it early the week of Homecoming.
For more information, visit sfasu.edu/homecoming.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business; education, humanities, and social sciences; fine arts; forestry and agriculture; health professions; and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, nine residence halls and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By University Marketing Communications
(October 1, 2026): At approximately 7:30 a.m. today, detectives with the Nacogdoches Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Waterford Drive. The search warrant was executed without incident.
Stephen F. Austin State University received a grant from Better Together Nacogdoches to purchase a family-friendly workstation for the first-floor computer lab in Steen Library. The workstation, which allows parenting students a study space while caring for their child, was also funded by SFA’s Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Tim Lewallen, assistant director of customer service for SFA Information Technology Services, communicated the need for the workstation to fellow grant writers Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor of education studies; Dr. Lauren E. Brewer, associate professor of psychological sciences; and Mercedes Franks, manager of the Judy B. McDonald Public Library in Nacogdoches, which also has a family-friendly workstation. Pictured, from left, at the workstation’s ribbon-cutting ceremony are Franks; Dr. Catie Munguia, executive director of Better Together Nacogdoches; Brewer; Olson Beal; and Lewallen.
