There was a noticeable buzz during the 2026 Newman University Homecoming thanks to down-to-the-wire basketball games, the crowning of new royalty, a rowdy student section and an influx of alumni returning to campus.
Alumnus and long time Jet men’s basketball coach Mark Potter called the festivities a blessing. “It’s an awesome thing. I’ve met a lot of people I don’t even know, that are back, just coming to watch the game and hang out and get to know each other.
“I was here for a long time, went to school here back in the mid-eighties … but we’ve had older alums and a lot of them in between, but there’s quite a few out there. Whoever was doing the invite did a pretty good job,” Potter said.
Newman’s Director of Alumni Relations Dana Beitey agreed that the alumni turnout for Homecoming was the strongest in many years.
“We have seen a lot of alumni. It’s really, really great to have them here. Having the alumni back on campus is very nostalgic for them. I hope that they’re having a good time.” Beitey said. “I hope that they’re remembering the time that they had here while they were on campus as a student.”
It was the first Homecoming as an athletic director for Kenyon Spears, who was hired in June to lead the Jets.
Newman Athletic Director
“It’s a big night. We’re excited to have our faculty and staff join us, our alumni and our donors as well,” Spears said. “I would say credit to Dana Beitey for doing a good job of reaching out to our alumni and creating a link to make it easy for sign up. Our administration staff and our coaches are doing a better job of reaching out and cultivating relationships. The credit goes to them.”
It’s all about community
2000 graduate Stephen Duarte was in attendance at Fugate Gymnasium. It was his first time back on campus in more than two decades.
“This is my first time (attending homecoming). It brought back a lot of nostalgia with this building because this building was only a year old when we graduated,” Duarte said. “I’ve also been texting my friends that I graduated with, most of them are out of state. We’ll try (to get them here next year).”
While some grads were back for the first time in a while, Joshua Schoenecker-Prilliman ‘14 is on the Newman campus regularly. As the university’s current student activities director Homecoming is more than a game and activities to him.
“Homecoming to me is community. I think that was always the thing for me as an alum. That’s been the big message that I pitched to students and anybody I can meet,” Schoenecker-Prilliman said. “Newman University was one of the best communities that I could have been a part of as a student … incredibly welcoming to not only me, but my family, my wife, her family. Homecoming at the end of the day is just community.”
President Kathleen Jagger enjoyed the added vibe from alumni and the overall atmosphere inside Fugate. “It’s just so much fun this year. We’ve got so many alumni that I’ve met tonight. A lot of them I hadn’t met before and a lot of the businesses and donors that support us are here,” Jagger said. “It’s been really great and the women won, so that was so exciting!”
Newman women’s basketball earn a victory
The Jets women’s team battled all game long against visiting Northwest Missouri State, the sixth place team in the MIAA. Behind senior forward Valeriya Lioukina they would finally pull ahead in the 4th quarter to win 57-54.
“It meant a lot. We’ve been working really hard and been in some close games that we haven’t been able to get when we finally got one,” said head coach Amy Briggs. “It feels good to get one here at home for everybody that was here … gave the fans a great game, down to the wire and just really proud of our group.”
Newman men’s basketball can’t complete the sweep
Coming into the men’s game, the Jets had not won since mid-December however the crowd was raucous and head coach R.J. Allen still believed in his players’ chances against the traditional conference and national powerhouse.
“I’m excited for our guys. It’s been a challenge this year but they continue to show up every single day. They have great attitudes,” Allen said.
The nightcap game featured 9 lead changes and 5 ties. The Jets got close down the stretch, closing the Bearcat lead to one point with 45 seconds remaining but they could not get over the hump. NW Missouri St held on to claim a 68-65 victory.
2026 Homecoming king and queen crown
During halftime of the men’s game, Newman Student Life officials presented the 2026 Homecoming Court and revealed the king and queen.
Queen candidates were introduced were nursing major Alex Schreiner, theological studies major Eliana Anh Gaytan, business management major Brooklyn Davis, accounting major Valeriya Lioukina and elementary education major Travia Smith.
The men’s court members introduced were nursing major Colby Schreiner, theologoical studies major Caleb Papsdorf, business communication major Braxton Muldoon and biology major Trevor Sweat. Finance major and forward on the basketball team Sam Somerhalder was in the locker room and did not walk with his fellow court members.
After the court was introduced, Dean of Students Andi Giesen crowned Colby Schreiner as the 2026 Homecoming King and Lioukina as queen.
Schreiner was surprised to hear his name called. “I think it was pretty cool that a lot of people voted for me and appreciate me. I just thought it was awesome.”
“It means that I’ve gained a lot of friends here and I always try to gain as many friends as I can, meet as many new people as possible.”
Lioukina shared homecoming is not celebrated in her home country of Latvia. “We don’t have that thing (Homecoming) we have prom but I actually really enjoyed it, so I’m glad I’m here.”
She added, “I got 20 points and 2 rebound (in the game) so I would says it’s a win-win, double win!”
