BOLIVAR, MO - Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University are gearing up for an exciting time as both institutions celebrate their respective homecoming events on the same weekend, Friday, September 27th, and Saturday, September 28th. To enhance community spirit and engagement, Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University have announced a special collaboration. Alumni of both BHS and SBU can take advantage of a bundled ticket offer, which includes admission to both football games at a discounted rate. Tickets can be purchased online at this link: Bolivar SBU Homecoming Ticket Bundle.
The Bolivar Liberators will kick off their homecoming festivities on Friday, September 27th, with the Homecoming parade beginning at 2:30 PM at Bolivar High School. The parade will travel down the bus lane to Bolivar Primary School, turn west on Division Street, south on Hartford Avenue, West on Locust Street, North on Springfield Avenue, West on Jackson Street, South on Main Avenue, and finish at First Baptist Church. The Homecoming coronation will start around 6:30 PM at Plaster Stadium on the campus of Southwest Baptist University before the game. The Liberators will face off against the Marshfield Blue Jays at 7:00 PM.
"We're thrilled to partner with Southwest Baptist University to offer this unique opportunity for our community," said Tim Pezzetti, Athletic Director at Bolivar High School. "Homecoming weekend is a time for celebration and unity, and we hope this joint ticket offer encourages our fans to support both teams as they showcase their talent and dedication on the field."
Dr. Michael Methvin, Superintendent of Bolivar R-1 School District, echoed these sentiments: "This collaboration between Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University exemplifies the strong bond between our educational institutions and our commitment to fostering a vibrant community spirit."
The festivities for Southwest Baptist University’s Homecoming celebration also begin on Friday. The All-Alumni Banquet is at 5:30 PM at The Marketplace dining commons, and the second annual Southwest Baptist Celebration begins at 7:00 PM in Pike Auditorium, a free event open to the public which will feature nostalgic videos for reunion classes and recipients of this year’s Life Service and Edwin Lightfoot Distinguished Alumni awards.
On Saturday, September 28th, SBU is holding an Alumni Breakfast at 8:30 AM at The Marketplace dining commons, followed by the Parade at 10:00 AM. The parade will take off from Locust Street at First Baptist Church, moving south on Main Avenue, west on Maupin Street, then south on Pike Avenue before ending at the Plaster Stadium.
After the parade, the Bearcat Bash picnic will run from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the Forum (tickets required) and will feature games and activities for kids of all ages. The Bearcats football team will face off against Lincoln University at Plaster Stadium at 1:00 PM.
“The large number of SBU alumni from outside Bolivar who settle here after college (or, like me, returned here later in life) is evidence of the extraordinary impact our community has on people,” added Leon Wirth, Vice President for Advancement at SBU. “Alumni of both BHS and SBU have the unique blessing of being nurtured by both institutions, and we’re thrilled to celebrate our alumni together this year.”
For all other SBU Homecoming events, SBU alumni can register online at advance.SBUniv.edu/homecoming.