Galleries

Gallery | Homecoming 2023 recap

By James Hoeck, Angel Saldivar, Candice Zhou, Elena Baker, Jacoby Banks-Hull, Anika Khandavalli, Sofi Klein, Alyssa Shih and Matt Stepp • October 28, 2023

James Hoeck
University of Illinois Alumni Association President David Bambrey gives a speech on Oct. 15 at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center to start off Homecoming Week, which started with a 5K race that took place moments prior to Bambrey’s fountain kickoff addressment.

James Hoeck
Postdoctoral researchers Seemesh Bhaskar, Renato Azevedo and Samuel Olatunji stand in front of the fountain at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center for Homecoming Kickoff on Oct. 15. Official Homecoming events occurred from Oct. 15-22.

Attendees wait in line as food is served at the Homecoming International Day Celebration hosted at the University YMCA on Oct. 17.

James Hoeck
Homecoming International Day Celebration participants take their seats after receiving their meals. The event saw fun trivia presented during the day.

A cappella group Off The Record wins first place for the Global Talent Show hosted by International Student and Scholar Services at Lincoln Hall. Goody bags were given out to those who went to see the show that evening.

James Hoeck
Rashmi Ahire, second place winner of the Global Talent Show competition hosted at Lincoln Hall, receives an award as an outcome of the judges’ results on Oct. 17.

Jacoby Banks-Hull
Greeks Support Homecoming BBQ event was held on the South Quad on Oct. 18. The day also saw a magic show featuring “America’s Got Talent” finalist Derek Hughes and the FAA Friends & FamILLy Celebration event.

Sofi Klein
Chancellor Robert Jones enthusiastically speaks at the Illini Chabad grand opening on Oct. 19. Jones presents the house in his speech as he references the journey that it took to reach this moment.

Sofi Klein
Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel and Gov. JB Pritzker exchange thoughts at the Illini Chabad grand opening on Oct. 19. The two had many other exchanges throughout the ceremony.

Sofi Klein
Gov. JB Pritzker and Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel cut the ribbon at the Illini Chabad opening on Oct. 19. The moment was filled with excitement for the community.

Alyssa Shih
Unified choreographed performances that took place during the Homecoming parade on Oct. 20.

Matt Stepp
The 2023 Homecoming Grand Marshals were Kimiko Gunji, founder of Japan House, and Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud, current director of Japan House.

Matt Stepp
The Kingfisher, one of the University’s student-nominated candidates for a new mascot, makes their way down the parade on Oct. 20.

Anika Khandavalli
Japan House hosts a matcha café event as a part of Oct. 20’s many Homecoming festivities.

Anika Khandavalli
Participants share dialogue as they enjoy their matcha.

Anika Khandavalli
An intern serves matcha to a customer visiting Japan House.

James Hoeck
Members of the Illinois men’s basketball team raise their fist in the air moments before they begin their first exhibition match at the State Farm Center on Oct. 20. Illinois will have its second home exhibition match this Sunday against Kansas.

James Hoeck
Redshirt junior forward Dain Dainja dunks the ball during the first half of the Illinois exhibition match against Ottawa on Oct. 20. The first half of the game ended in a score of 59 for Illinois and 9 for Ottawa.

James Hoeck
The Illini student section come together for “Hail to the Orange.”

Elena Baker
Junior guard and forward Luke Goode blocks Ottawa as the team inches closer to the hoop. The Illinois face-off against Ottawa ended in a final score of 116-65 in favor of Illinois on Oct. 20.

Sophomore quarterback Luke Altmyer stares as he awaits the time to leave the tunnel on Oct. 21. The Illini played the Wisconsin Badgers, which ended in a Badger win 25-21.

Sofi Klein
Freshman wide receiver Malik Elzy tosses the football to a teammate before the Homecoming football game on Oct. 21.

Wisconsin fights to get to the ball on Oct. 21.

Candice Zhou
Redshirt junior Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson rams into Illinois’ freshman offensive linebacker Calvin Smith.

James Hoeck
Lead singer of rock band Foreigner puts his foot on a speaker as the band performs at the State Farm Center on Sunday as a part of its farewell tour.

James Hoeck
Guitarist Bruce Watson rocks out as the lights shift during Foreigner’s performance at the State Farm Center on Sunday night. The rock band’s performance was the last of the University's official listed events for Homecoming this year.

About the Contributors

James Hoeck, Photo Editor

I am James Hoeck, a senior in photography with a minor in media. I have been a part of Illini Media for over three years starting back in fall 2021. I hold the position of photo editor here at The Daily Illini overseeing our photo department. I also work as photo editor and editor-in-chief for Illini Media’s yearbook, The Illio. There is a good chance you will see me out and about on campus taking photos! If you want to check out more of my work, visit my linked socials. For inquiries, contact me at my attached email.

Angel Saldivar, Assistant Photo Editor

My name is Angel Saldivar and I'm nearing the end of my Journalism degree at the University of Illinois and currently serve as the Assistant Photo Editor at the Daily Illini. When I'm not out taking photos, I'm diving into filmmaking with my film club (shoutout Illini Film and Video) or playing the drums. Got questions or just want to connect? Don't hesitate to email me!

Candice Zhou, Assistant Photo Editor

Hey! My name is Candice Zhou, and I’m a junior majoring in accounting and finance. I joined The Daily Illini in spring 2022 as a photographer and am now the assistant photo editor. I love music and singing (I am currently in a band called Too Soon!). I also like traveling, watching movies, playing tennis, etc. Fun fact about me: I am a DJ! If you have any questions, feel free to email me!

Matt Stepp, Visual Director

Hey there! I’m Matt, I’m currently a sophomore majoring in Graphic Design, with a minor in media. I started here at the Daily Illini in the fall of 2023 as a staff photographer, and now serve as the Visual Director for the Daily Illini. I have always loved photography, you will probably see me around campus shooting sports and other events. I’m also an artist and love watercolor painting and illustration. If you’re a swimmer or enjoy the pool, you may see me at the ARC or CRCE working as a lifeguard as well, I’m never away from a pool for too long!