Welcome Home, Battling Bishops!

The NCWU 2023 Homecoming Week will be October 9-15. On Saturday, October 14th, NC Wesleyan will host our first-ever evening Homecoming football game under the lights at 6 pm right here on campus at the all-new Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium. Save the date and be sure to attend and support our Battling Bishops!

NCWU vs. TBA

Come cheer on your Battling Bishops football team at the first-ever Homecoming night game held at 6 p.m., Saturday, October 14.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the gate.

  • $5 for adults (18+)
  • $3 for ages 12-18
  • FREE for all under age 12

Gates open two hours prior to kick-off.

Irvin Football Catch

2023 Alumni Special Events

Alumni Golf Outing

The Alumni Golf Outing
10:00 AM
Belmont Golf Club

Contact:
Coach Greg Clifton
Head Baseball Coach
gclifton@ncwc.edu

Alumni Co-Ed Basketball Game

Hey, Bishop alumni, why not end your Friday evening with some friendly competition? After you’ve spent some time at the Greek picnic, and made a stop by the bonfire, head over to the gym to check out our organized co-ed game. Feel free to participate or sit in the stands and cheer for the best team.

Friday, October 13, 2023
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Everette Gymnasium

Eastern N.C. BBQ Throwdown

Downtown Celebration
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Downtown Rocky Mount

Visit downtown Rocky Mount before homecoming and enjoy chicken, pork ribs, pork & beef brisket at the annual Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down® which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

Alumni Football Game

The tradition continues; the third annual alumni flag football game returns!

Saturday, October 14, 2023
12:00 PM

Located at the Vernon T. Bradley Lacrosse Field

Tailgating

Arguably one of the best ways to experience football; celebrate Homecoming the exciting way! Get an early start, and bring out your tents, your grills, and University gear to cheer for the Battling Bishops at this momentous game!

Saturday, October 14, 2023
Begins at 2:00 PM

Located at the Vernon T. Bradley Jr. Stadium

Contact:
Mike Armbruster
Assistant Athletic Director
marmbruster@ncwc.edu

Alumni & Kid Zone

We’ll have designated tents for the Alumni Association and the Golden Bishops Circle; drop by to reconnect with friends, other alumni and make some new Bishop connections! There will also be inflatables for the kids, and of course, you’re more than welcome to sample chili from contestants in our famous chili cook-off.

Saturday, October 14, 2023
Begins at 4:00 PM

Located at the Vernon T. Bradley Jr. Stadium

Battling Bishop Homecoming Chili Cook-Off

A Wesleyan Homecoming tradition! We’re celebrating our 5th annual Chili Cook-Off, and expect all contestants to bring out their best recipes this year! Stop by the tables to sample the best of the best and then vote for your favorite after you’ve sampled all they have to offer.

Saturday, October 14, 2023
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Located at the Vernon T. Bradley Jr. Stadium

Interested in competing?

Contact:
Kimla Brandt
NCWU Event/Activity Logistical Coordinator
kbrandt@ncwc.edu

You must register with Kimla Brandt in order to participate.  For an entry form, contact Kimla via email or 252-985-5348.


Location and Set Up: 

  • The event is being held at the new football field.  You may prepare, cook, set up, or reheat at the field as needed. Electricity will be provided to each station.
  • Your team’s location will be easily identified when you arrive.

Chili Team Reminders: 

  • Each team needs to provide what is needed to heat and serve their chili.
  • Please feel free to provide any toppings that might make your chili extra special.
  • While your table coverings are provided by NCWU, you may want to add special decorations to add to the festivities for this event.
  • Each team is responsible for removing any items utilized for the event.

NCWU will provide the following: 

  • Two tables per team ( 6 foot for serving and 6 foot for prep)
  • Table coverings
  • Paper towels for clean up
  • Tasting cups, spoons, napkins
  • Disposable trash bins
  • Signage for each team
  • Chili is being offered for sale to benefit a local charity so plastic containers with lids will be provided

How much chili do you need to prepare? 

  • Please prepare a minimum of (3) three gallons of chili per team to serve.  

Chili Judging Rules:
Each team’s chili will be assigned a random number and the judges will do a blind tasting of each chili.  Each chili team will be given a small crock pot for the judging sample which will be placed on a separate table. Two prizes will be given this year. One for “Judges Choice” and the other for the “Peoples Choice.”

  • $300 First Prize
  • $200 Second Prize
  • $100 Third Prize
  • $200 for “Peoples Choice” Winner

Chili types can be any of the following:

Traditional Chili: This chili consists of chili with any kind of meat or combination of meats cooked with chili peppers, tomatoes, various spices, beans, pasta, or no beans at all…..and other ingredients.

Chicken Chili:  This chili consists of chili with chicken cooked with chili peppers and various spices and other ingredients.  Vegetarian Chili: This chili consists of chili with any kind of vegetable cooked with chili peppers and various spices and other ingredients, but no meat.

All chilies will be scored on a 1-5 scale for the following:

  • Seasoning 
  • Spice 
  • Texture 
  • Flavor

Homecoming Resources

Ultimate List of Discounts

Need a place to stay? Check out our list of Preferred Business Partners in Rocky Mount to enjoy discounts on lodging, food, entertainment, services and more!

Support Your Class

Can’t make the Homecoming Event? You can still support your alma mater. Learn how to get involved, show support and donate today!

GIVE NOW

Campus Map

NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Catch a glimpse of all the action from Homecoming 2022. Game photos, Homecoming photos and more.

Feel free to view and download!

Homecoming Week Schedule

Monday, October 9, 2023

Homecoming Announcement & Trivia*
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
via email

Homecoming Court Banquet*
8:00 to 10:00 PM
Located at Larema Coffee House

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Get Lowes Bishops*
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Campus-Wide

Homecoming Trivia*
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
via email

International Bishop Association’s Fall Ball*
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Located on the Southern Bank Green

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Wilder Out Wednesday*
Noon to 3:00 PM
Located on the Library Patio

Homecoming Trivia*
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
via email

Women’s Soccer vs. Virginia State University   
2:00 PM
Scalf Field  

Battle of the Halls
8:00 – 10:00 PM
Located on the Aux Gym

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Homecoming Trivia*
8:00 to 5:00 PM
via email

Battle of the Halls
9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Located at the Hartness Center

Friday, October 13, 2023

Homecoming Trivia*
8:00 to 5:00 PM
via email

Alumni Golf Outing
10:00 AM
Belmont Golf Club

Athletic Hall of Fame
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Located at ISEF

Alumni Picnic & Homecoming Bonfire*
6:00 to 10:00 PM
Located on the GTC Field / Tyler Drive Between Pettaway and Collins

Alumni Basketball Game
8:00 to 9:00 PM
Everett Gym

Rockland Road Concert
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Dunn Center  

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Homecoming Disc Golf Tournament
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Disc Golf Course (Start at the Bookstore)  

Volleyball vs. Greensboro
10:00 AM
Everett Gym  

Eastern N.C. BBQ Throwdown
10:00 Am to 5:00 PM
Downtown  

Alumni Football Game
12:00 PM
Located at the Vernon T. Bradley Stadium

Men’s Soccer vs. Brevard
2:00 PM
Scalf Field  

Volleyball vs. Randolph College
10:00 AM
Everett Gym  

Homecoming Tailgating
2:00 PM Begins
Located at the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium

Alumni & Kid Zone
4:00 PM Opens
Located at the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium

5th Annual Battling Bishop Homecoming Chili Bash
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Located at the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium

Football Game
6:00 PM Begins
Located on the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium

Alumni Sneaker Ball
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Downtown TBD

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Homecoming Worship Service
10:00 AM
Located at the Chapel


*Student Only Events

NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change without notice.