Students, children, and alumni filled the North Campus parking lot on Saturday, October 24 in celebration of the annual homecoming celebration held by the University of New Haven.

Various clubs and organizations had booths and tailgating spots set up, which included an assortment of food, music, and games. The tailgating area was equipped with a National Guard hoop shooting station, a bouncy castle, a DJ, and several different tents for alumni and students to gather and grab some grub.

One of the major attractions before the football game was the chariot race event. Ten different UNH clubs were entered and given the opportunity to create their own chariot, in which a driver and passenger raced in the parking lot against other competing clubs.

Chariots ranged from the simpler model of a drink cooler on wheels to a handcrafted wooden cart. The EMS Club claimed the first place title with their ambulance themed chariot, which took them about a week to put together, according to a new EMS member, Carissa June. Sigma Chi came in a close second after taking on some damage to their cart.

Not all clubs had as much success as the EMS club. In fact, several chariots fell apart during the racing process. With no serious injuries, the races attracted a crowd and added to the excitement of the homecoming weekend.

Another attraction before the football game was the car smashing fundraiser. Participants paid a dollar to use a sledgehammer to destroy a car. All proceeds went toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which uses the money to grant wishes to children diagnosed with life threatening illnesses.

Fans gathered in the stadium to support the UNH football team during their game against LIU Post. Noise makers and shouts erupted from the stands as proud alumni and students united to cheer the Chargers on to victory.

The UNH cheerleaders, dance team, and marching band led the crowd in school spirit.

Football wasn’t the only sports team to play during the homecoming celebration on Saturday. Men’s and women’s soccer, and also women’s volleyball competed as well.

George Melanson, UNH graduate of 1983, said he comes to homecoming for both the tailgating and the game, as well as “to be with old friends.”

Melanson was a hockey player during his years at the University and has a daughter that recently graduated from UNH in 2013.

Director of Athletics Debbie Chin said “I think it’s just absolutely terrific,” about the homecoming celebration.

“Working with USGA, clubs and organizations, the chariot races, all of these combining with the marching band… it’s just terrific, I think it’s what college should be,” Chin said “We’re happy that athletics could play a part of it. We are one big family.”