(Addison Cox / Fourth Estate)

Students gather in Johnson Center to debut Homecoming 2026

BY KATIE PERSCHAU, CULTURE EDITOR

After a week of chilling temperatures and university closures, Mason students reunited in the Johnson Center on Thursday to bring the heat for the second annual Rally at the Court pep rally hosted by Mason Student Centers. The event was the official kickstart of Homecoming at Mason. 

The weeklong celebration leading up to the men’s basketball game against Saint Joseph’s is packed with events and performances. Some of the events include the Tip Off Party and Lip Sync Battle, women’s homecoming basketball game, day of service, comedy headliner performance, city crawl and the gameday tailgate.  

To open the rally, the Masonettes dance team showcased a spirited routine as students and visitors paused to take part in the celebration.

The performance was followed by a trivia game hosted by the men’s basketball team. Players quizzed students on fun facts about the university and statistics from the men’s basketball season. 

Junior Shaun Gervase, the rally’s show host, invited the Mason Cheer team on stage to lead the Mason Fight Song. The familiar tune echoed throughout the Johnson Center as students joined in and applauded the performance. 

Members of Student Involvement took the stage next to introduce the week’s upcoming events and encourage students to attend the various celebrations to support the men’s and women’s teams. 

(Addison Cox / Fourth Estate)

Gervase also encouraged students to submit their votes for the banner painting competition, a Mason homecoming tradition in which members of Fraternity and Sorority Life paint banners that hang from the balconies of the Johnson Center during the week. Gervase later announced the winners of the competition: Zeta Tau Alpha and Tau Kappa Epsilon’s banner featuring Mason jerseys and the slogan “Patriots Brave and Bold.”

(Addison Cox / Fourth Estate)

To close out the event, the Green Machine performed a series of upbeat songs, and student models walked the stage promoting Mason merch from the University’s bookstore.  

“We look forward to seeing you around at the various activities this week and next,” Gervase said. 

Homecoming events will continue from Jan. 30 through Feb. 7 at the Fairfax campus.