One of the most notable changes in ODU homecomings is the sport being played and the season in which it is celebrated. From 1938-1940 homecoming was centered around the football team and took place in the fall. The football team was removed as an ODU sport in 1941 and the focus eventually shifted to basketball. In 1964, homecoming moved to February to coincide with basketball season. This remained for several decades until 2001, when homecoming week switched to October to be closer to the start of basketball season instead. In 2009, ODU regained a football team and the homecoming sport changed for the final time.

Homecoming also had several cancelations over the decades. 1937 was the first planned homecoming but was canceled due to heavy rain. The first official year was 1938. In 1941, homecoming was canceled due to the loss of our football team and The United States entering World War II. It was revived in 1955 with basketball. In 1985, homecoming was canceled again until 1989. Due to athletic changes and lack of student participation, homecoming was canceled after 1991 and wasn’t brought back until 2000. In 2020, most events were canceled due to the pandemic but students still made the most out of the adored week. The university unveiled Reign the Mermaid located at Brock Commons. Reign gives students and visitors a chance for a fun photo-op and a way to promote ODU with the hashtag #ODUmermaid. 

Homecoming was quickly brought back the next year, in 2021!

As ODU was originally a commuter only school, homecoming became more accessible as campus living became available. Originally, the big game was played off campus too. In 2002, when the Ted Constant Convocation Center opened, the basketball game was moved to on campus.

As technology advanced, certain aspects of homecoming had to change. The homecoming court can now campaign on social media and create digital flyers to be seen by everyone. More photos are being taken as students have their cellphones with them. Everyone is posting on social media which produces more excitement and more memories. ODU is also able to promote each event through their own Instagram account @odu_homecoming.