The Yard Is Calling. And Every Falcon Comes Home.
There is a particular kind of pride that comes from rooting for the underdog who refuses to quit. Saint Augustine's University has spent the last few years fighting — in accreditation hearings, in arbitration rooms, in federal court — simply for the right to keep teaching. And through all of it, the university has kept its doors open, kept its classrooms full, and kept its homecoming tradition alive.
That is what makes coming home to "Saint Aug" this fall different from any other homecoming on the CIAA circuit. This is not just a reunion. It is a declaration that the Falcons are still standing.
Saint Augustine's University Homecoming returns to Raleigh, North Carolina this October 2026. Official dates have not yet been published by the university as of this writing — homecoming week typically lands in early-to-mid October — so treat the dates below as a planning estimate and confirm with the university's alumni office or website before you book.
🦅 Check Homecoming Ticket & Event Info
What Makes Saint Aug's Homecoming Unlike Any Other
Every HBCU homecoming has music, food, and family. But three things make Saint Augustine's homecoming distinct.
First, the history. Founded in 1867, Saint Augustine's is one of the oldest historically Black colleges in the country — older than most of the schools whose homecomings get bigger headlines.
Second, Raleigh itself. The Falcons share the city with Shaw University, another historic HBCU just blocks away, making this stretch of Raleigh one of the most concentrated hubs of Black higher education history in the American South.
Third, the resilience. Saint Augustine's homecoming in 2026 carries a weight that bigger, better-funded homecomings simply don't have. Every alum who shows up this year is showing up for a school that had to fight to still be standing to welcome them.
The History: Saint Augustine's University & Its Homecoming Tradition
Saint Augustine's University was founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, just two years after the end of the Civil War, with a mission to educate the formerly enslaved. It grew into one of the pillars of Black higher education in the South, producing generations of teachers, clergy, doctors, and community leaders, and building a proud athletic tradition as home of the Falcons in the CIAA.
Homecoming at Saint Aug has long followed the familiar HBCU rhythm every October — a football game, a parade, a step show, a concert, and a campus full of alumni reconnecting on the yard. In recent years the celebration has continued even as the university has weathered serious institutional challenges, a testament to how much the tradition means to the people who carry it.
Why Saint Augustine's University Homecoming Matters
It's important to be honest about where Saint Augustine's University stands. Since December 2023, the university has been locked in a fight with its accreditor, SACSCOC, which voted to remove SAU from membership over governance and financial concerns. SAU appealed, went through arbitration, appealed again, and in August 2025 won a preliminary injunction in federal court that has kept the university accredited and open while litigation continues. In April 2026, the university announced a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring aimed at strengthening its finances and resolving the accreditation matter for good — a legal tool used to reorganize and stabilize, not to shut down. As of this writing, SAU has held commencement, launched new certificate programs for fall 2026, and continues normal operations.
That context matters for homecoming because it changes what the event represents. This is not a celebration happening in spite of the school's struggles — it is, in part, because of them. Every alum who returns to Raleigh this October is casting a vote of confidence in the university's survival with their presence, their dollars, and their pride. For a school built in 1867 to educate people the rest of the country refused to educate, that kind of loyalty is the whole point.
Why You Should Attend Saint Augustine's University Homecoming 2026
You don't have to be a Falcon alum to show up and show support. HBCU homecomings across the CIAA are open, welcoming events, and Saint Aug's is no exception — the tailgate, the step show energy, and the family reunion feeling are experiences anyone with an appreciation for Black college culture should have at least once.
It's also a chance to support an institution that needs its community now more than ever. Ticket purchases, campus visits, and alumni spending in Raleigh all matter more this year than in a typical homecoming season.
Come for the culture. Stay because this school is worth showing up for.
What to Expect: Homecoming Week
- Alumni Check-In & Chapter Reunions: Early arrivals reconnect with classmates and local alumni chapters kick off the week with receptions.
- Gospel & Praise Celebration: A worship service honoring the university's Episcopal founding and faith roots.
- Step Show: Divine 9 chapters bring the yard to life with one of the week's most anticipated events.
- Homecoming Concert: A campus concert featuring live music, typically held mid-week on the yard.
- Tailgate & Football Game: The Falcons take the field for a CIAA matchup while alumni tailgate on campus — the heart of the weekend.
- Parade & Closing Brunch: A homecoming parade through campus, followed by farewell brunches before everyone heads home.
Exact scheduling for 2026 will be published by the university closer to the date — check the alumni office for the finalized day-by-day agenda.
Career & Networking Opportunities
- Alumni chapter meetups — Saint Aug's National Alumni Association chapters organize gatherings during homecoming week; connecting with your local chapter beforehand is the best way in.
- Support-the-school conversations — this year, expect more organized alumni giving pushes and fundraising appeals tied to the university's restructuring effort. It's a meaningful year to show up with your checkbook as well as your school spirit.
- Small-business and vendor presence — Black-owned vendors and alumni entrepreneurs often set up around the tailgate and yard, making it a good spot for informal business networking.
Social Events & Parties
Raleigh's Black social scene shows up for Saint Aug and Shaw homecomings alike every fall. Expect step-show afterparties, alumni mixers at downtown venues, and informal gatherings hosted by local promoters and Greek chapters throughout the week. Because both universities' homecomings tend to fall in the same general window, Raleigh's downtown nightlife corridor gets an extra jolt of HBCU energy across the whole month of October — check local listings and Instagram close to the date for the official party lineup.
Where to Eat: Raleigh's Best for Homecoming Weekend
- Beasley's Chicken + Honey — Chef Ashley Christensen's James Beard Award-winning fried chicken spot in downtown Raleigh. A must for a homecoming weekend meal.
- Poole's Diner — Also from Christensen's restaurant group, this upscale spin on a classic diner is a Raleigh institution known for its mac and cheese.
- The Pit Authentic Barbecue — Whole-hog, Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue in a historic downtown warehouse space.
- Bida Manda — An acclaimed Laotian restaurant that has become one of Raleigh's most celebrated dining destinations.
- 42nd Street Oyster Bar — A Raleigh seafood institution operating since the 1930s, great for a group dinner.
- Death & Taxes — An upscale, wood-fired steakhouse in the heart of downtown, ideal for a celebratory homecoming dinner.
What to Do in Raleigh
- Downtown Raleigh & Fayetteville Street — The historic downtown corridor, walkable and full of shops, murals, and restaurants.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — A free, world-class museum in the heart of downtown, good for a family-friendly afternoon.
- North Carolina State Capitol — The restored 1840s state capitol building, a short walk from downtown.
- Shaw University Campus — Just blocks from Saint Aug, Shaw is the oldest HBCU in the South (founded 1865) and worth a respectful walk-through, especially to see historic Estey Hall.
- Pullen Park — A historic city park with a vintage carousel, popular for a relaxed afternoon between homecoming events.
Black History & Cultural Sites in Raleigh
- North Carolina Freedom Park — Opened in 2023 in downtown Raleigh, this park was designed in part by the late architect Phil Freelon (co-designer of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture) and features the 50-foot "Beacon of Freedom" sculpture honoring Black North Carolinians' fight for freedom.
- Pope House Museum — The preserved 1901 home of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope, a Black physician and one of the last Black mayoral candidates in Raleigh during the Jim Crow era. Located in the historic Black business district near South Wilmington and Hargett Streets.
- John Chavis Memorial Park — A 1937 park built for Black Raleigh residents during segregation, now on the National Register of Historic Places, home to a historic 1913 carousel and named for John Chavis, a free Black educator and Revolutionary War veteran.
- Estey Hall, Shaw University — Built in 1873, this is the first building constructed in the United States specifically for the higher education of Black women.
- Historic South Park & East Raleigh-South Park neighborhoods — Longstanding Black residential neighborhoods surrounding both Saint Aug and Shaw, reflecting over a century of Black homeownership and community life in the city.
Recommended Places to Stay
Downtown Raleigh hotels fill up during homecoming season for both Saint Aug and Shaw — book early. All estimated pricing below is per night and will vary by exact dates.
Premium
- The Umstead Hotel and Spa — A five-star property just outside downtown Raleigh in Cary, known for its spa and acclaimed restaurant. From roughly $400+/night.
- AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills — A stylish, modern upscale hotel in the North Hills district. From roughly $220+/night.
Mid-Range
- Sheraton Raleigh Hotel — A longstanding downtown Raleigh hotel within easy reach of campus. From roughly $180+/night.
- Raleigh Marriott City Center — Centrally located in downtown Raleigh near the convention center. From roughly $170+/night.
Budget & Group
- Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Downtown — A reliable, budget-friendly downtown option. From roughly $140+/night.
- Airbnb in Southeast Raleigh — Full-house rentals near the Saint Aug and Shaw campuses are ideal for alumni groups traveling together.
🏨 Find & Compare Raleigh Hotels for Homecoming →
BTN Travel Tip: Your Saint Aug Homecoming Itinerary
- Day 1 — Arrive & Explore Downtown: Check in, walk Fayetteville Street, dinner at Beasley's Chicken + Honey.
- Day 2 — History Day: Visit North Carolina Freedom Park and the Pope House Museum, then walk over to Shaw University to see Estey Hall.
- Day 3 — Step Show Night: Rest up during the day, then head to the step show — one of the week's highlight events.
- Day 4 — Tailgate & Game Day: The full homecoming experience — tailgate on campus, cheer on the Falcons, celebrate that evening.
- Day 5 — Parade, Brunch & Depart: Catch the homecoming parade, grab a final soul food brunch, and head home.
Mark Your Calendar
Saint Augustine's University Homecoming 2026
📅 October 2026 — exact dates to be announced by the university
📍 Saint Augustine's University, 1315 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610
🎟️ Ticket and event details to be released via the alumni office — st-aug.edu/alumni
⚠️ Given the university's ongoing accreditation litigation, confirm homecoming dates directly with the school before finalizing travel plans.
How to Stay Connected
- Official Website: st-aug.edu
- Saint Augustine's University Instagram: @saufalcons
- Hashtags: #SAUHomecoming2026 #FalconPride #SaintAugustinesUniversity
- BTN Coverage: Follow @myblacktravelnow for HBCU homecoming guides and Raleigh travel tips
