Life at the University provides multiple chances for students to interact with their campus and community. Even some of the major sports weekends on campus can be ways for students to form valuable connections.

Dad’s Weekend is one such opportunity. Beginning October 31 – which, incidentally, is also Halloween – the weekend includes the historic crowning of the King Dad, a tradition that began at the University in 1973.

Students submit essays nominating their dad. The King Dad is then chosen by the Dad’s Association Board of Directors and crowned at Friday night’s banquet. This year, the banquet’s keynote speaker will be Ron Guenther, Illinois’ Athletic Director. But the banquet is a fraction of Dad’s Weekend.

“This year, the most popular event by far is the Dad’s Association Tent Party and Football Game. The tickets for these events were in very high demand,” said Jennifer Copes of the Parent Programs Office. “The Tent Party begins two hours prior to kickoff and offers dads and their families the chance to mingle with other Illini parents and eat some good food before the game.”

In fact, tickets for this year’s Dad’s Weekend football game have already sold out. But that doesn’t mean the weekend won’t be a success for those unable to secure tickets.

“The Parent Programs Office can only see the success of this event affecting the weekend in a positive way,” Copes said. “A large number of the families whose orders were received after the tickets sold out are still planning to attend the tent party. They aren’t letting the fact that we’ve sold out of tickets discourage them from attending the whole weekend.”

While Dad’s Weekend helps connect parents and students, Homecoming connects students with their campus and community. iHelp’s Homecoming Volunteer Project is a way students can make a positive impact.

“Over a thousand students get to spend a few hours reaching out and helping the community that they are a part of as U of I students,” said Sarah Losh, president of Student Alumni Ambassadors and senior in LAS. “And it is great to have the volunteer aspect in one of the Homecoming events – not only are students celebrating, but they are taking time to give back to campus.”

Perhaps the best-known part of Homecoming is that time-honored tradition, the homecoming football game, which will see the Fighting Illini square off against Minnesota on October 11.

But students who were unable to score tickets for the football game can still cheer for the Orange and Blue at other events. Soccerfest on October 5 pits the Illini soccer team against Michigan. Volleyball’s Homecoming game will be played October 4 with Illinois battling Iowa. Further Homecoming festivities include a parade and pep rally on October 10.

After the parade wraps up on the Quad, the pep rally will begin. Organizers have planned to incorporate performances by University organizations as well as an appearance by head coach Ron Zook and the Illini football team. And fireworks will wrap up the festivities.

“Each event is so unique, whether it is volunteering through iHelp or connecting with the sports teams and the community at the pep rally and the parade,” Losh said.