Spend Your Saturdays in September at Eureka College

EUREKA, Ill. (August 31, 2026) - Saturdays are shaping up to be busy at Eureka College this September, and the college is inviting alumni, families, neighbors and Red Devil fans to be part of the action.

From fall athletics and a brand-new football rivalry to one of Eureka’s biggest traditions of the year, September offers plenty of reasons to spend a Saturday on campus.

“September is a great time to experience Eureka College,” said Dr. Jamel Wright, president of Eureka College. “There’s an energy on campus when our students are back, our fall sports are underway, and our alumni and community members are here cheering them on. This will be a September to remember, and we invite people throughout the region to make plans to join us.” 

Saturday, September 5 - A Full Day of Red Devil Athletics

The first Saturday of September offers a full day of Red Devil competition, beginning with women’s volleyball and ending under the lights at McKinzie Field for the 12th Annual Lincoln Bowl.

• 10:00 a.m. - Women’s Volleyball vs. Rockford University | Location: Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena

• 2:00 p.m. - Women’s Volleyball vs. Principia College | Location: Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena

• 3:00 p.m. - Tailgating begins for the Lincoln Bowl | Location: By the Reagan Athletic Complex

• 6:00 p.m. - Kickoff for the 12th Annual Lincoln Bowl: Red Devils Football vs. Knox College | Location: McKinzie Field 

  • During halftime, Eureka College will recognize the men’s volleyball team with a ring ceremony celebrating its 2025-26 MWPVC Division II Conference Championship.

     

Saturday, September 12 - History Meets the Gridiron: Inaugural Berlin Wall Bowl

Begin the day with Red Devils women’s soccer, as Eureka hosts Cornell College for the team’s 2026 home opener. Then, one of the most anticipated games of the football season arrives that evening, when Eureka College hosts Westminster College for the inaugural Berlin Wall Bowl at McKinzie Field.

This new football rivalry brings together two colleges with unique connections to Cold War history. Eureka College, alma mater of President Ronald Reagan ’32, is home to an original section of the Berlin Wall in its Reagan Peace Garden. Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where Winston Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946, is also home to original sections of the Berlin Wall.

The Red Devils and Blue Jays will compete for the newly created Berlin Wall Bowl trophy, kicking off a new tradition that celebrates both athletic competition and the institutions’ shared place in history. The game will feature a 25th anniversary tribute to 9/11 and a halftime show honoring first responders during “First Responders Appreciation Night.” All first responders receive free admission at the gate.

• 11:00 a.m. - Eureka Women’s Soccer vs. Cornell College | Location: McKinzie Field 

• 11:00 a.m. - Berlin Wall Bowl: Tailgating starts. Activities include bounce houses, music, yard games and food trucks. | Location: By the Reagan Athletic Complex

• 4:30 p.m. - Pre-game ceremony begins featuring a 25th anniversary tribute to 9/11 | Location: McKinzie Field

• 5:00 p.m. - Kickoff Inaugural Berlin Wall Bowl: Red Devils Football vs. Westminster College | Location: McKinzie Field

  • Special halftime show honoring first responders during “First Responders Appreciation Night”

     

Saturday, September 19 - Come Home to Eureka: Homecoming 2026

Eureka College welcomes alumni, families, friends and community members back to campus for Homecoming 2026, capping a week of activities and celebrations.

Homecoming Saturday will offer plenty of reasons to arrive early and stay for the day. Activities begin in the morning, with food trucks and the Eureka College Athletics Hall of Fame celebration, before the Red Devils take on St. Norbert College in the Homecoming football game at McKinzie Field. Fans will also be treated to a special halftime performance by South Side Steel.

• 10:00 a.m. - Food trucks | Location: by the Reagan Athletic Complex

• 10:30 a.m. - Eureka College Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony – Becker Auditorium with reception immediately following in the Terrill Rooms. It’s open to the public, and there is no cost to attend. | Location: Becker Auditorium

• 11:00 a.m. - Tailgating begins. | Location: By the Reagan Athletic Complex

• 2:00 p.m. - Homecoming Football: Red Devils vs. St. Norbert College | Location: McKinzie Field

  • Special halftime performance by South Side Steel

     

Homecoming Family & Friends Weekend: Alumni returning to Eureka for the weekend can also take part in special events beginning Friday, Sept. 18, including networking opportunities, museum activities, an alumni dinner, affinity gatherings and more. Visit eureka.edu/homecoming for more details.

Saturday, September 26

• 1:00 p.m. - Women's Volleyball vs. Webster | Location: Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena

Eureka College is located at 300 E. College Ave. in Eureka. For Red Devil athletics schedules and ticket information, visit eurekadevils.com. 

About Eureka College

Located on nearly 70 wooded acres in Eureka, Illinois, and chartered in 1855, Eureka College cultivates excellence in learning, service, and leadership while providing students uniquely personalized educational opportunities. Eureka College holds the unique distinction of being the first college in Illinois—and among the first in the nation—to admit men and women on an equal basis. The College, originally founded by abolitionist members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is the smallest of only 24 colleges and universities to ever award a bachelor’s degree to a future President of the United States.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Austin Woodside, Director of Sports Information, at 309-467-6377 or awoodside@eureka.edu; or Communications@eureka.edu or 405-888-3683.