Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Set to Paint It Green for Homecoming
9/18/2025 11:29:00 AM | Football, General
Full day of football, tradition, and community events awaits fans Sept. 20 at Rynearson Stadium
Complete Homecoming Schedule | Purchase Game Tickets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University is set to "Paint It Green" for Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 20, when the Eagles host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns at Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., but the game is only part of what promises to be a full day of tradition, community spirit, and celebration.
The morning will open with tailgating, presented by Trinity Health. Rynearson lots will open at 9:30 a.m. for tailgate package ticket holders and at 10:30 a.m. for the general public. The EMU Ticket Office also opens at 10:30 a.m. Fans will find a lively atmosphere across the tailgate areas, with the general fan Tailgate Zone in the North End Zone offering inflatables, yard games, the Little Caesars truck, and a full-service bar.
Students should arrive early for Operation Go Green. Free exclusive Homecoming hardhats and shirts will be available while supplies last, and admission is free with a digital student ticket. Fans are encouraged to wear green for the official Green Out. For families and alumni, the day offers some of the most affordable entertainment in Southeast Michigan, with season and single-game packages among the lowest priced in the region.
The excitement begins well before kickoff. At 1:15 p.m., fans are invited to gather outside Gate 2 for the Eagle Walk, where the Pride of the Peninsula marching band, EMU Cheer, and Dance will lead the charge in welcoming the team. This pre-game tradition unites students, alumni, and community members in a show of school pride.
Fans are encouraged to download the Eastern Rewards App to join the Crowd Cameo gallery and earn points for engaging on game day.
Shuttle service from campus begins at 1:30 p.m. with stops at the EMU Student Center, Eastern Eateries, Pease Auditorium, Westview Apartments, and Rynearson Stadium. Post-game shuttles will start in the fourth quarter and run for one hour following the end of the game.
Fans should also be aware of updated security measures. Metal detectors will be in place at all entrances, and the clear bag policy remains active, consistent with stadium standards across the NCAA and NFL. Arriving early is encouraged to avoid delays at the gates.
Quick reminder for everyone attending the game: please purchase your tickets in advance. If you wait until game day and pay at the gate, you'll also have to pay $10 for parking. However, if you already have your ticket, it also serves as your parking pass and allows you to bypass the extra stop at Rynearson.
The matchup itself carries added significance. Eastern holds a 49-45-2 record in Homecoming games, including 23-31-1 since moving into Rynearson Stadium in 1969. First called "Gala Days" in 1920 before adopting the Homecoming name in 1923, the tradition has become one of the program's cornerstones. The Eagles have won four straight, including last year's 38-34 comeback over Central Michigan, and are 5-1 in Homecoming games against non-conference opponents since 1976. Saturday marks the earliest Homecoming game in program history as Eastern, at 0-3, looks to extend its winning streak against a Louisiana team that enters with a 1-2 record.
Homecoming week is filled with events beyond football. Highlights include the T-Shirt Swap and Build an Eagle event on Wednesday, Sept. 17, women's soccer hosting Buffalo on Thursday, Sept. 18, and the Women's Tennis Block E Invitational at the Chippewa Club Sept. 19–20. On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Outdoor Track Complex Ribbon Cutting will take place from 12:30–1 p.m., followed by the Alumni and Friends Tailgate Tent from 12:30–3:30 p.m. on the front lawn at Rynearson, and the All Sports Reunion at 2:30 p.m. in the North End Zone Tent. Game day will also feature a halftime performance by Drew & Kin. A full schedule of events is available at emich.edu/homecoming.
Tickets are available now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669. The Ticket Office will open four hours before kickoff. Season ticket packages remain an excellent option, with reserved seats starting at $135 and family or alumni bundles offering additional value.
With so much happening on and off the field, Homecoming is designed to be more than a football game. It is a celebration of tradition, campus life, and community pride. Whether you come for the Eagle Walk, the tailgates, the music, or the football, Saturday promises to showcase the best of Eastern Michigan.
Game Day Basics
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium
- Eagle Walk: Begins at 1:15 p.m. outside Gate 2
- Tailgating: Rynearson lots open at 9:30 a.m. (tailgate package holders) and 10:30 a.m. (general public)
- Shuttles: Begin at 10:30 a.m., run until one hour after the game
Tickets: Available at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Atrium four hours before kickoff, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669.
Homecoming Week Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 18 - Soccer vs. Buffalo, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept 19 – Sue Parks Retirement Celebration, 7–9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Football Letterman's Breakfast, 9-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Track & Field Alumni Mile, 10–10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Outdoor Track Complex Ribbon Cutting, 12:30–1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Alumni and Friends Tailgate Tent, 12:30–3:30 p.m., Front Lawn at Rynearson Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 20 – All Sports Reunion, 2:30 p.m., North End Zone Tent
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Football vs. Louisiana, 3:30 p.m., Rynearson Stadium
Halftime Performance – Drew & Kin, high-energy piano rock duo, Michigan-music medley
Ticket Information:
All Sports Reunion: $50, includes game entry, food, and two drink tickets (50% off for E-Club members)
Football Lettermen's Breakfast: $50, limited to 100 seats, supports EMU Football program
Enhanced Tailgating and Parking Experience
EMU has introduced procedures to ensure a safer and more enjoyable tailgating experience. All cars entering the Rynearson Stadium parking lot will be charged a $10 fee (cash only) on game day, except those with a valid game ticket (must be shown at entry). For an even more premium experience, fans can purchase the "Homecoming Tailgate Package" for $75, which includes reserved tailgating space and early setup privileges on Friday, Sept. 19. EMU is also designating special Family Tailgate Zones at both the north and south ends of the stadium.
Parking Timeline for Saturday, Sept. 20:
9 a.m. – Lots staffed
9:30 a.m. – Early access for Homecoming Tailgate Package holders
10:30 a.m. – General parking lots open
1:15 p.m. – Eagle Walk/Team Arrival
2 p.m. – Stadium gates open
Additional Notes:
- All EMU students can secure a free game ticket using the promo code "EagleNation."
- Recreational Vehicles are designated to park in the VIP Lot and are required to have a VIP Parking Pass ($90 for RVs). All recreational vehicles that plan to arrive before game day need to coordinate their arrival with the EMU Athletic Ticket Office.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University is set to "Paint It Green" for Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 20, when the Eagles host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns at Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., but the game is only part of what promises to be a full day of tradition, community spirit, and celebration.
The morning will open with tailgating, presented by Trinity Health. Rynearson lots will open at 9:30 a.m. for tailgate package ticket holders and at 10:30 a.m. for the general public. The EMU Ticket Office also opens at 10:30 a.m. Fans will find a lively atmosphere across the tailgate areas, with the general fan Tailgate Zone in the North End Zone offering inflatables, yard games, the Little Caesars truck, and a full-service bar.
Students should arrive early for Operation Go Green. Free exclusive Homecoming hardhats and shirts will be available while supplies last, and admission is free with a digital student ticket. Fans are encouraged to wear green for the official Green Out. For families and alumni, the day offers some of the most affordable entertainment in Southeast Michigan, with season and single-game packages among the lowest priced in the region.
The excitement begins well before kickoff. At 1:15 p.m., fans are invited to gather outside Gate 2 for the Eagle Walk, where the Pride of the Peninsula marching band, EMU Cheer, and Dance will lead the charge in welcoming the team. This pre-game tradition unites students, alumni, and community members in a show of school pride.
Fans are encouraged to download the Eastern Rewards App to join the Crowd Cameo gallery and earn points for engaging on game day.
Shuttle service from campus begins at 1:30 p.m. with stops at the EMU Student Center, Eastern Eateries, Pease Auditorium, Westview Apartments, and Rynearson Stadium. Post-game shuttles will start in the fourth quarter and run for one hour following the end of the game.
Fans should also be aware of updated security measures. Metal detectors will be in place at all entrances, and the clear bag policy remains active, consistent with stadium standards across the NCAA and NFL. Arriving early is encouraged to avoid delays at the gates.
Quick reminder for everyone attending the game: please purchase your tickets in advance. If you wait until game day and pay at the gate, you'll also have to pay $10 for parking. However, if you already have your ticket, it also serves as your parking pass and allows you to bypass the extra stop at Rynearson.
The matchup itself carries added significance. Eastern holds a 49-45-2 record in Homecoming games, including 23-31-1 since moving into Rynearson Stadium in 1969. First called "Gala Days" in 1920 before adopting the Homecoming name in 1923, the tradition has become one of the program's cornerstones. The Eagles have won four straight, including last year's 38-34 comeback over Central Michigan, and are 5-1 in Homecoming games against non-conference opponents since 1976. Saturday marks the earliest Homecoming game in program history as Eastern, at 0-3, looks to extend its winning streak against a Louisiana team that enters with a 1-2 record.
Homecoming week is filled with events beyond football. Highlights include the T-Shirt Swap and Build an Eagle event on Wednesday, Sept. 17, women's soccer hosting Buffalo on Thursday, Sept. 18, and the Women's Tennis Block E Invitational at the Chippewa Club Sept. 19–20. On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Outdoor Track Complex Ribbon Cutting will take place from 12:30–1 p.m., followed by the Alumni and Friends Tailgate Tent from 12:30–3:30 p.m. on the front lawn at Rynearson, and the All Sports Reunion at 2:30 p.m. in the North End Zone Tent. Game day will also feature a halftime performance by Drew & Kin. A full schedule of events is available at emich.edu/homecoming.
Tickets are available now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669. The Ticket Office will open four hours before kickoff. Season ticket packages remain an excellent option, with reserved seats starting at $135 and family or alumni bundles offering additional value.
With so much happening on and off the field, Homecoming is designed to be more than a football game. It is a celebration of tradition, campus life, and community pride. Whether you come for the Eagle Walk, the tailgates, the music, or the football, Saturday promises to showcase the best of Eastern Michigan.
Game Day Basics
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium
- Eagle Walk: Begins at 1:15 p.m. outside Gate 2
- Tailgating: Rynearson lots open at 9:30 a.m. (tailgate package holders) and 10:30 a.m. (general public)
- Shuttles: Begin at 10:30 a.m., run until one hour after the game
Tickets: Available at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Atrium four hours before kickoff, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669.
Homecoming Week Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 18 - Soccer vs. Buffalo, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept 19 – Sue Parks Retirement Celebration, 7–9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Football Letterman's Breakfast, 9-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Track & Field Alumni Mile, 10–10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Outdoor Track Complex Ribbon Cutting, 12:30–1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Alumni and Friends Tailgate Tent, 12:30–3:30 p.m., Front Lawn at Rynearson Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 20 – All Sports Reunion, 2:30 p.m., North End Zone Tent
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Football vs. Louisiana, 3:30 p.m., Rynearson Stadium
Halftime Performance – Drew & Kin, high-energy piano rock duo, Michigan-music medley
Ticket Information:
All Sports Reunion: $50, includes game entry, food, and two drink tickets (50% off for E-Club members)
Football Lettermen's Breakfast: $50, limited to 100 seats, supports EMU Football program
Enhanced Tailgating and Parking Experience
EMU has introduced procedures to ensure a safer and more enjoyable tailgating experience. All cars entering the Rynearson Stadium parking lot will be charged a $10 fee (cash only) on game day, except those with a valid game ticket (must be shown at entry). For an even more premium experience, fans can purchase the "Homecoming Tailgate Package" for $75, which includes reserved tailgating space and early setup privileges on Friday, Sept. 19. EMU is also designating special Family Tailgate Zones at both the north and south ends of the stadium.
Parking Timeline for Saturday, Sept. 20:
9 a.m. – Lots staffed
9:30 a.m. – Early access for Homecoming Tailgate Package holders
10:30 a.m. – General parking lots open
1:15 p.m. – Eagle Walk/Team Arrival
2 p.m. – Stadium gates open
Additional Notes:
- All EMU students can secure a free game ticket using the promo code "EagleNation."
- Recreational Vehicles are designated to park in the VIP Lot and are required to have a VIP Parking Pass ($90 for RVs). All recreational vehicles that plan to arrive before game day need to coordinate their arrival with the EMU Athletic Ticket Office.
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