CLEVELAND, Miss.— Delta State University’s National Alumni Association has announced the dates for two of its signature events—Pig Pickin’ and Homecoming.
The 37th Annual Pig Pickin’ will take place Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23 at Statesmen Park. Pig Pickin’ was established in 1985 by Mr. Hugh Ellis Walker, along with the rest of the Alumni-Foundation staff. Alumni and friends gathered around Shumate Park to celebrate the first home football game of the season, and literally picked a pig to eat as they enjoyed fellowship prior to the game. As a result, Pig Pickin’ was created and has become one of the most popular events on campus.
Over the years, it has grown tremendously and is now held at Statesmen Park. Alumni, friends, current students, and the Cleveland community look forward to a weekend of tailgating, live entertainment from DSU’s Delta Music Institute, a Memphis Barbeque Network sanctioned BBQ competition, a pep rally, food vendors, and DSU football. The Statesmen will host Shorter University on Saturday.
The 91st Homecoming celebration will be held Nov. 11 and will feature events around campus and the community. The DSU Alumni Association will host a variety of activities to welcome alumni and friends back home. The class of 1973 will be featured and honored in recognition of their 50-year reunion. They will also be inducted into the prestigious Golden Circle, which is a constituency group of the National Alumni Association that honors alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago.
The Alumni Association will also recognize the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Alumni Hall of Fame and other service awards. The annual Homecoming parade and tailgating will take place leading up to the Statesmen taking on Mississippi College for this year’s Homecoming game.
Director of Alumni Affairs Corley Mullins ’06, ’10, said, “We’re so excited about Pig Pickin’ and Homecoming this year! It’s a great opportunity for alumni to come back to visit and reconnect with each other. The Alumni staff is looking forward to another exciting football season and is already hard at work planning events. There will be reunions, tailgating, and other ways for alumni to catch up with old friends and classmates, so be on the lookout for more information as summer approaches. See y’all at Statesmen Park!”
For details on merchandise and tailgating reservations, and to stay updated on the latest details on the 2023 Pig Pickin’, visit www.dsupigpickin.com.
For travel info and local accommodations, visit www.visitclevelandms.com.
For questions, email alumni@deltastate.edu or call (662) 846-4660.
