Northwest to Celebrate Homecoming and Honor Athletics in October
Senatobia, MS (09/30/2026) — Northwest Mississippi Community College is set to celebrate and honor its heritage in October during "Homecoming and Athletics Emphasis Month," as part of the college's Centennial Celebration. This month kicks off on Oct. 1 with Northwest's Homecoming football game against Coahoma Community College.
Along with the many other activities on Oct. 1, including the Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and Alumnus of the Year recognition ceremony earlier that day, student events are happening all week, including goat yoga, a jersey party, and a Homecoming Parade ending with a pep rally on Sept. 30.
Every Homecoming is special, but something about 100 years makes this year exceptionally so, according to Vice President of Institutional Affairs Dr. Brad Smith.
"The October 1 game is the centerpiece of our Homecoming celebration," said Dr. Smith. "We hope alumni will follow Northwest's Homecoming announcements for additional gathering and recognition opportunities as details are finalized. Whether you were here recently or decades ago, we want you to know that you always have a place at Northwest."
Multiple athletic events will be happening throughout the month that the community is invited to attend, including home football games kicking off with the Homecoming game against Coahoma on Oct. 1, Itawamba on Oct. 15, and Southwest on Oct. 22.
"I'm most excited to welcome our alumni home during Northwest's Centennial year," said Dr. Smith. "There is something special about seeing former classmates, faculty and friends reconnect while today's students experience that same Ranger spirit. Homecoming reminds us that Northwest's story belongs to every generation that has been part of it."
During this month, Northwest hopes to promote the importance of remembering past and current athletes. Northwest Athletic Director Jake Gordon said that he is proud of the young men and women who are playing and have played at Northwest.
"I am proud of the way that the athletes handle themselves during their time here," said Gordon. "Our coaches do a great job of recruiting not only great athletes but great human beings as well. I am also proud of the way the student-athletes handle themselves in the classroom. I have faith that a lot of athletes will be successful in life after they leave here.
"The support that athletics and really all departments receive from the administration is amazing. I have worked at other community colleges where the support is not there, and you can see that lack of support in how the athletes perform and it is the same in other departments when the support isn't there."
Outside of athletics and homecoming, October is a big month for the college with a groundbreaking on Oct. 8 for the Agricultural Technology facility at the college farm. Northwest is also hosting their accreditation reaffirmation committee meeting for SACSCOC on Oct. 26-29.
To learn more about Northwest, please visit northwestms.edu.
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