Saddles and Stuffing Highlights UCO Homecoming Spirit

The University of Central Oklahoma continued its Homecoming Week celebrations on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with Saddles and Stuffing, an annual event hosted by the Homecoming Activities Board.

The event took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blue Tent near the Nigh University Center, where students built their own stuffed Broncho plushies to match this year’s Homecoming theme, “Saddle Up Central.”

The event encouraged students to connect while celebrating UCO’s Western-inspired theme. Participants received a plush Broncho and a miniature T-shirt to dress it, creating a keepsake to remember Homecoming Week.

Spirit Director Katelyn Calhoun said the event was created to bring students together and encourage campus involvement.

“The main goal was to get everyone out, connected, and more involved on campus,” Calhoun said. “It’s a fun way for students to engage with Homecoming and take something home to remember it by.”

This year’s turnout exceeded expectations, with all plushies distributed before the event reached its halfway point. Calhoun said focusing on the Bronchos instead of offering different animals this year aligned perfectly with the Homecoming theme.

She said events like Saddles and Stuffing helped students feel more connected to campus life and created lasting memories of their time at UCO.