UNI celebrates Homecoming with Kurt and Brenda Warner

The University of Northern Iowa's Homecoming celebration is in full swing this week. With the theme of That '70s Hoco, this Homecoming is bound to be our grooviest one yet!

The Homecoming Parade returns to downtown Cedar Falls at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a route that will go from Ninth and Main streets to Second and Main streets featuring UNI students, UNI academic and non-academic departments and divisions and Cedar Valley community members.

The VIPs of this year's Homecoming Parade will be 1994 UNI alum Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda. Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, Kurt Warner was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV as he led the St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl title in his initial season as their starting quarterback in 1999. He would go on to lead the Rams to another Super Bowl appearance in 2001 and guided the Arizona Cardinals to their first-ever trip to the NFL's Championship Game following the 2008 season. Kurt Warner was a two-time NFL MVP and was selected to four Pro Bowls. The Warners also served as the inspiration for the 2021 movie "American Underdog."

"On behalf of the entire UNI community, we are honored that Kurt and Brenda are joining us for Homecoming and other festivities on campus this weekend," UNI President Mark A. Nook said. "Their inspirational story has such strong ties to the UNI campus and Cedar Falls. I know Panthers everywhere will welcome them back home with open arms."

UNI alums Jim '71 and Bonnie Raasch '72 will be showcasing their Panther pride as Grand Marshals of the Homecoming Parade. KWWL-TV Sports Director Rick Coleman and UNI Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Leslie Prideaux will be emceeing the fanfare. Golf carts, floats and the Panther Marching Band will all be featured in the parade. If you aren't in town to catch the action in person, check out UNI's YouTube channel to watch the parade livestream.

Before the Saturday football game against Illinois State University in the UNI-Dome starts at 4 p.m., there will be a Hy-Vee Tailgate west of the Dome from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The volleyball team will end the night with their 7 p.m. game against Illinois State University in the McLeod Center.

Homecoming week also marks the launch of the Our Tomorrow Campaign, UNI's boldest, most ambitious fundraising campaign to date that will help create a brighter tomorrow for not only today's Panthers but also those in the generations to come. Enjoy the Our Tomorrow Celebration and Concert Friday night on the Campanile Plaza. Food trucks and a beer and wine garden will be available from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with games, exclusive giveaways and a display of seven new bells to be cast for UNI's Campanile. The program and concert begins at 7 p.m. featuring Tony-nominated Michael Cavanaugh, who was made famous for his piano and lead vocals in the starring role of the Broadway Musical "Movin' Out." The Warners will also be special guests at this event.

For complete details on Homecoming events, check out the UNI Homecoming web page.