CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Members of the chart-topping classic rock band REO Speedwagon return to campus to serve as grand marshals of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Homecoming parade Friday, Sept. 26. They also are featured guests during football gameday events Saturday, Sept. 27.
The Homecoming parade begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the corner of Fourth Street and Kirby Avenue, heading west on Gregory Drive and turning south on First Street. A post-parade party, featuring food, music and fireworks, will take place in Lot 31 immediately following the parade.
REO Speedwagon formed at Illinois in 1967 after founding members Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer met during their first week of classes in 1966 and started playing music together in their rooms in Illinois Street Residence Hall. Doughty and Gratzer will be joined by longtime members Bruce Hall, a Champaign native, and lead singer Kevin Cronin for a weekend full of Homecoming festivities.
“I’m honored to be invited to Illinois Homecoming weekend,” said Gratzer. “Champaign will always be a special place for me after going to school there, founding REO and meeting my wife, Nancy, on campus. I’m still not sure why she left the doctoral program to move to California with a rock drummer. I have so many great memories from my college days at the U. of I. and can’t wait to hear the Marching Illini playing REO songs.”
At the Illinois-USC football game on Saturday, Sept. 27, the band members will participate in the traditional sounding of the air raid siren and will take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on an REO-themed halftime show that will feature a medley of the band’s hit songs.
“Returning to campus for this event is really special for me because I was a proud member of the Belleville High School marching band and loved that experience,” said Doughty. “I was a pretty decent trumpet player but never would have reached the level of the Marching Illini. I have nothing but respect for what they do, and I know how hard they work. It will be a thrill to play alongside them.”
Homecoming Week at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is Sept. 21-28, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, with the Illinois Homecoming run. At 10 a.m., the Illinois Alumni Association hosts the annual Alumni Center Fountain dyeing and pancake breakfast.
Events for students and the community throughout the week include a screening and question and answer session with Illinois alumna and filmmaker Annie Crawley of her film “The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo.” A Global Talent Show, a high tea in celebration of author Jane Austen’s 250th birthday and a performance by the Lyric Theatre@Illinois are also on the slate.
Additional festivities include Saturday Night Live: Homecoming Edition in downtown Champaign after the football game and a concert by the Marching Illini at the State Farm Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
View the full list of events, more details and visitor guides on the Homecoming 2025 website.
