By Nolan Boivin

Homecoming is one of the biggest sporting events of the varsity athletics calendar. It’s both a celebration of athletics and the arrival of the new school year. Packed stands, loud cheers and battles on the ice make it a night not to miss. 

But while students will witness the full arena as the Bold clash against the Queen’s University Gaels on Thursday, what they won’t see are the months of behind-the-scenes planning that make the event come to life.

Preparation for homecoming begins as early as June, with the Bold working on partnerships, sponsorships, marketing and game-day activities long before students return to campus.

Elizabeth Farsang is Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) athletics and recreation marketing and events coordinator. She said securing partnerships is one of the most important steps in preparing for the event. 

For homecoming, the Bold are working with the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union, which will be sponsoring the loudest fan section.

Before this year’s game, a backyard barbecue will take place in the Pitman Quad, dishing out free food, games, and music before students march together to the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) for the Bold’s contest.

The Bold’s marketing campaign is divided between its graphic design, digital media and social media teams. These three groups work together to ensure the campaign stays consistent across all fronts. 

“We all have to be intertwined at all times because if one of us is not in line with the other, then we’re going to be producing stuff that doesn’t mesh together well and that is going to be confusing to the fan base,” Farsang said. 

To refresh this year’s homecoming, the Bold are placing a deeper emphasis on the students and the role they play in creating the atmosphere at games. 

“Obviously, we want students to be in seats and students are the most important part of game day,” Farsang said. 

Farsang also mentioned the relationship between the team and the students go hand in hand, and building this relationship is the ultimate goal of her preparation. 

“The athletes feed off of the fans and vice versa…As soon as the whistle goes, my planning is done,” Farsang said.

While Farsang’s role ends once the game starts, the baton is handed over to the Bold’s media team to capture the atmosphere at the MAC and deliver live content for students to view and engage with online.

For Bold Media photographer Lazar “Laki” Mihajlović, his role extends beyond supplying content and has instead shifted to creating an experience that students will remember long after the night ends.

“This is a ‘can’t-miss’ event that will be a way to get new students and continuing students to show their pride for the university, a way to create a culture in the university with sports,” Mihajlović said.

Preparing content begins before game day. Mihajlović said photographers usually begin about two weeks before an event like homecoming, while other roles such as video and graphics can begin a month or more in advance. 

Before the game, photographers work with coordinators to determine where media personnel will be positioned and which moments to focus on and capture throughout the game. 

The media team also employs former homecoming content for reference, but shifts away from using it as a blueprint. Instead, they bring their focus to current trends, thinking up fresh ways to frame the university and varsity hockey team. 

While students enjoy the excitement of homecoming, the event also reflects the hard work and dedication of students and behind-the-scenes staff, all working to bring the student body together on Sept. 17 at the MAC. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.