Crimson, Gold, and a Campus Full of Community

Story by Avery Hakstol

Photos by Dave Pavlina and Scot Young

Homecoming at the University of Denver filled the campus with crimson-and-gold spirit this year as students, alumni, and community members showed their pride from the starting line of the Crimson Classic 5K all the way to the stands of Magness Arena for a DU hockey showdown.

With additional events including a capture-the-flag hunt, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner’s State of the University address, campus art tours for alumni, and a pregame party on the Campus Green, the week offered something for everyone before closing with the first-ever DU Homecoming bonfire.

Here’s a look at some of the events and moments that brought the DU community together for Homecoming.

A running start

Festivities hit full stride on Wednesday with the annual Crimson Classic 5K run and 1.5-mile walk, part of Well-Being Wednesday. Participants picked up their bibs and enjoyed music, games, and vendor offerings before flocking to the starting line at 3 p.m. Students, staff, and families all lined up together under the bright blue skies at Carnegie Green.

For Ally Evangelista, a senior majoring in environmental science, the appeal of this event was how welcoming the running community can be.

“I think running is a great sport because every single person is capable of it, even if they say they’re not,” she said. “A lot of people will be like, ‘I can’t run that fast, I can’t run that far,’ but I think as long as you’re pushing yourself, it’s impressive.”

Others saw the race as a way to bring campus together.

“This is such a fun tradition, because it’s a great way to be outside and be in community with faculty, staff, and students, especially in the fall,” said Brie Jutte, the director of New Student and Family Programs at DU. “It’s just a great way to get people out of their offices and classrooms doing fun community events together.”

It can also be an act of self-care in the midst of a busy college schedule.

“College can be really unhealthy at times with all the stress,” said Gabi Sramek, a senior studying finance at DU. “This is a great way to release that stress and take care of yourself.”

A taste of community

On Thursday, CCOM 1700 filled with food from across Latin America for the 17th annual Taste of Latin America, hosted by the “Unstoppable” Upsilon Gamma chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. The event boasted numerous types of Latin American food, music, and traditions.

When asked what they were most excited about at this event, many attendees said the food.

“I think the performances, and the food as well, which is the star of the show,” said Alexandra Acosta, a senior studying international business. “Every year they do different kinds of food, so it’s really cool to see what is offered.”

And for the organizers, the food carries a bigger purpose.

“What we try to do is spread culture, and it’s part of our fraternity tradition—our founder believed the biggest way you can spread culture is through food, because you are what you eat,” said Ivan Esqueda-Garay, the vice president of Sigma Lambda Beta. “Sigma Lambda Beta is our name, and cultural awareness is our game!”

For student attendees, the event was a chance to find community and feel at home.

“Especially as a person of color, I think it’s such a good way to really get to know the different people we have on campus,” said Acosta. “I think it really brings me a sense of community and home.”

A sea of crimson at Magness

Then came one of the most anticipated events of the week. The reigning 2026 national champion Pioneers faced Boston College at Magness Arena on Friday night in the first of a two-game series, marking a big weekend of hockey between two of the nation’s top men’s college programs.

By the time the teams took the ice, the arena was packed and buzzing. Chants rang through the student section, and the noise swelled each time the Pioneers made a push to the Eagles’ net.

For one fan, the team is the heart of school spirit at DU.

“I always tell people that what we lack in football, we more than make up for in hockey,” said Anna Respett, a 2026 DU graduate. “I think it really brings the community together in a way that not a lot of things can, especially being objectively the best hockey team in the nation for Division I. It’s something that really just ignites a school spirit that I think is really fun to be a part of.”

And that spirit showed up loud and proud. With a roaring crowd behind them, the Pioneers beat Boston College 5-2. On Saturday, alumni and hockey fans gathered on Campus Green for the Homecoming Pregame Party, where they enjoyed food, music, and friendly-family activities before taking in a thrilling game that ended in a 2-2 tie.

Where spirit ignites

Respett said hockey ignites school spirit at DU, but by the end of Homecoming week it was clear that spark goes further. Across the week's events, Pioneers celebrated not only their university but also the connections that make campus feel like home.