This year’s Alumni & Family Weekend (AFW) event schedule brought an engaging assortment of academic sessions focused on Fairfield's Jesuit mission, as well as many opportunities for guests to experience the athletic, artistic, and fun sides of Fairfield. Events included panel discussions, StagFest, RugbyFest, the Stags Pep Rally, various athletic games, a Glee Club Concert, the annual White Coat Ceremony, and more.

"Our goal of this year's event was to create a welcoming and lively environment for our alumni & families who haven’t had the opportunity to visit since the beginning of the pandemic," said Assistant Director of Student Engagement Colleen Horstman '11, M.ED. It was exciting to see our largest attendance ever of families, and students spending time together, especially on the hills of Bellarmine Lawn, eating, laughing and catching up. This weekend takes a lot of planning and campus collaboration and it’s always so special to see the months of planning come to fruition."

At RugbyFest, there was no shortage of festivities for the ruggers and their fans, who enjoyed lively rugby games and field presentations. Saturday afternoon’s picturesque New England fall weather graced the Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field, where matches were played throughout the day. During the afternoon match between the Fairfield University Men's Rugby and University of Rhode Island, Fairfield Stags were victorious, winning the match 53-17. From the alumni players bonding and reminiscing on the field to the throngs of sideline spectators excitedly chatting with one another while cheering on their teams, a spirited sense of comraderie was palpable.

This year’s StagFest, hosted on Bellarmine Lawn, presented an impressive blend of food and entertainment fit to satisfy all alumni, students, and families in attendance. From live music performed by fellow Fairfield alumni band, The Adults, to an outdoor petting zoo in the Lil’ Stags Zone, there were plenty of activities suitable for all ages. The wine and beer garden as well as the food truck vendors were a massive success with attendees, attracting large crowds of people. Vendors from local favorites included: Fire Engine Pizza, Super Duper Weenie, Alene’s Ice Cream, Crispy Melt, The Cinnabomb Mini Donut Factory, Fiesta Taco Truck, Garden Catering, Micalizzi’s, Old Post Tavern, PopCentric, Flacos Tacos, Uncle G’s Comfort Food, Wind It On!, and Stags Hospitality. 

During StagFest, the University community joined members of varsity athletic teams, coaches, and administrators for the Stags Pep Rally, which served to officially kick off the 2021-22 athletic season. Special performances included routines by Fairfield Cheer and Dance Teams and a stellar appearance by Lucas the Stag.

The annual Alumni Family Weekend is always a highly anticipated event for students, families, and alumni as it is a distinctive way for the Fairfield community to honor proud traditions and celebrate the positive transformations taking place at the University. Horstman shared, “Our alumni, students, and families seemed to really enjoy themselves. Whether they were eating in the Tully, attending one of our nighttime events, watching one of our sports teams, or just spending time with their student on-campus. I loved seeing everyone reunited, smiling and in such high spirits. Fairfield shines in the fall and I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to welcome our largest crowd back to campus for this annual event."

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