The University of North Alabama hosted its second annual Family Weekend in an effort to create more connection between parents and their students’ lives on campus.
The event took place on Sept. 21, spanning the entire day. Within the pre-planned schedule, families also had free time allotted to see where their students live, study and have fun.
This year’s Family Weekend had over 1000 students and family members, almost doubling last year’s turnout of around 600. Event organizers hope to see this trend continue in coming years.
The day began at 9:30 a.m. with registration at CB&S Arena at Flowers Hall, where each person got wristbands to get into all of the day’s events, football tickets, clear tote bags and tee shirts. When students and their families were finished registering, they found seats in the arena, where video sneak peaks of Bank Independent Stadium were playing.
After everyone was registered, the day’s events began with a “Stadium Chat” with UNA Athletics Director Dr. Josh Looney. He opened with UNA Athletics trivia, with those who guessed correctly earning prizes like tee shirts. He then presented pictures and videos of the current progress on the construction of Bank Independent Stadium, and he also showed families a hype video about Leo and Una’s new and improved mascot costumes.
“The stadium will be online, and it’s due in August of 2026, so not that long,” said Looney. “We have two more years to play in Braly Stadium, nine more games, and we’re excited for you all to be there… This [baseball] field will be down in January, or is supposed to be down in January, and we’ll start playing in March. It’s going to be a great baseball facility, and it’s something that we’re very excited to bring back to campus.”
Looney’s speech ended with another opportunity for a prize: if participants made a three-point shot, they would win money to be used at 306 Barbeque in Florence. Many were excited to participate, and the lucky winner walked away with $150.
After Looney’s chat, the official welcome to Family Weekend took place, with addresses from Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Minnette Ellis, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brien Smith and Brody Gravitt, the UNA University Program Council’s Hype Man.
“We’re so excited that you’ve taken the time and resources to come out to visit your students and see what they’re experiencing here,” said Ellis. “We understand that your involvement and support is so important for our students, and that’s why we want to engage with our families. We want you to be engaged. We want you to be a part of our Lion family.”
With families having been welcomed to campus, the next event on the agenda was lunch. Families were dismissed from the arena and were taken over to the Guillot University Center to eat together.
When lunch concluded, many events started up around campus, and families were able to pick what they wanted to do with their students. Information tables for several campus groups were set up in the GUC Atrium, and other groups set up tables in buildings around campus, encouraging families to explore with their students. Fun events also took place, such as a Build-a-Lion table in the GUC Atrium, a session of Family Bingo Bango in the GUC Banquet Hall and open houses in academic buildings and departments around campus.
