cheerleaders stand on field in front of packed stadium stands
Panther fans fill Ernie Chapman Stadium during Chapman University’s 2022 Homecoming football game.

2022 Chapman Family Homecoming Celebrates Panther Pride All Weekend Long

The 2022 Chapman Family Homecoming was a smashing success, packed with sold-out events, celebratory crowds and Panther pride. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Over 1,000 people attended the Chapman Family Tailgate on Saturday afternoon – a sold-out crowd that saw people lining up for tasty treats such as street tacos and chicago style hot dogs. Live entertainment was provided by Chapman student groups including The Chaptones, SoundCheck and Chapman Radio. 

President Daniele Struppa warmly welcomed alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff to campus. “Your support and love of Chapman is the foundation for all that we do here,” he said. “Thank you for being Chapman’s biggest fans, and thank you for being here, not just tonight but for every step forward we take as an institution.”

cheerleaders in black and red on library steps
Chapman cheerleaders fire up the crowd during the pre-game Chapman Family Tailgate in the Attallah Piazza.
woman in chapman t-shirt browses booth
Plenty of Chapman gear was on display as attendees enjoyed food, games and drinks sponsored by university schools and colleges.
male singers in red chapman t-shirts on library steps
Live performances by Chapman students kept the crowd entertained while they gathered in Attallah Piazza.
Homecoming attendees lingered in Attallah Piazza to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.
Pete the Panther mascot and young girl in chapman t-shirt make "paws up" gesture with fierce face
Pete the Panther was on hand to help get the next generation of Chapman students excited for the game.

Earlier in the day, attendees put on their thinking caps to attend Master Classes on a variety of intriguing topics. Offerings from Dodge College proved especially popular, with sold-out sessions that included Dean Stephen Galloway’s “Truly, Madly: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and the Romance of the Century” and Professor Mark Sawicki’s “Introduction to Virtual Production.” But the sleeper hit of the weekend turned out to be  “Estate Planning” presented by Ariana Burris (JD ’09) and Fowler School of Law.

While the university-wide events shone in the limelight, smaller gatherings and celebrations attracted substantial crowds, as well. Special events included the 50 Year Club Reunion and the induction of the Class of 1972, mixers and panels for individual schools and colleges and the university’s first Chapman Black Family Reunion. 

daniele strip-a stands with group of alumni in yellow stoles and balloons spelling out 1972
Members of the Class of 1972 were inducted into the Fifty Year Club during a special luncheon.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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chapman football player dives for catch near end zone
Despite some excellent plays by the team, the Panthers lost Saturday’s Homecoming game 31-17.

In a weekend of Homecoming highs, the only low point was a disappointing 31-17 loss by the Chapman Panthers football team in their showdown against Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, the SCIAC season opener. Game highlights included an impressive end zone catch by team captain Wyatt Hardin ’23 and a 53-yard by quarterback Nathaniel Espinoza ’24 that resulted in a spectacular diving catch by John Krall ’23. 

Fans in the stands didn’t let the loss dull their Panther spirit, however. The crowd kept their “Paws Up!” for Chapman throughout the eventful weekend.

fireworks in night sky



Staci Dumoski

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