Now that classes have resumed for the 2026-27 academic year, a simple walk across campus proves that a certain energy has returned. The quad lawns are sprinkled with reconnecting friends. Campus buildings buzz with study breaks and syllabus reviews. Parking may be scarce, but the Spartan vibes are back!
As Rawkin’ Welcome Week activities wind down, students are settling into routines and beginning to explore their home away from home. Here are some upcoming events and activities to help students enjoy the Greensboro community and show their pride in the G. And the best part? They’re all free and open to the public!
The G is for Goals
No football Saturdays here. At UNCG, the soccer field is where the action is this fall. The nationally ranked Spartan men’s team has a schedule packed with big matchups.
On Friday, they play #24 West Virginia under the lights at 7 p.m. Be the home-field advantage and you’ll be hooked for future home games, especially the big matchups with ranked opponents like Furman (#14) on Oct. 3; NC State on Oct. 7 (#3); and Marshall (#22) on Oct. 13. Soccer games, like most UNCG athletic events, are free of charge for students and community members and include fun promotions.
Women’s soccer also has upcoming home games: Radford on Sunday, Aug. 27; Western Carolina on Sept. 17; Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1; and Mercer on Oct. 4. All games begin at 6 p.m.
And for those who prefer a spectator sport without the chance of a weather delay, choose the air-conditioned stands of Bodford Arena. There, our volleyball team will challenge in-state rivals from NC A&T, Davidson, and North Carolina Central on Sept. 11-12 before kicking off conference play Sept. 25.
Women’s soccer also has upcoming home games: Radford on Sunday, Aug. 27; Western Carolina on Sept. 17; Tennessee Tech on Oct. 1; and Mercer on Oct. 4. All games begin at 6 p.m.
And for those who prefer a spectator sport without the chance of a weather delay, choose the air-conditioned stands of Bodford Arena. There, our volleyball team will challenge in-state rivals from NC A&T, Davidson, and North Carolina Central on Sept. 11-12 before kicking off conference play Sept. 25.
The G is for Gold (and Blue)
No matter where your taste in spectator sports lies, we’re all Spartans at the G. And on Friday, Sept. 4 we want to see you in all your blue and gold finery. Sept. 4 is National College Colors Day, when schools across the country encourage their students, staff, and alumni to show their pride.
On campus, Chancellor Gilliam has been known to call out students who aren’t wearing Spartan colors, so don’t be caught off guard. Mark your calendar and tell your friends to show up to class and show out in blue and gold!
The G is for Getaway
In September, fall may be just around the corner, but summer has not left the chat. Lucky for Spartans, we can extend our vacation mindset with a Saturday or Sunday at Piney Lake. Whether you need a break from campus, a quick way to get your toes in the sand, or an active excursion with friends, Piney Lake is the answer.
Located only eight miles from campus on 40 acres near the Pleasant Garden community, the lake and surrounding grounds are open on weekends through October 4. Admission is free for UNCG students and Kaplan Center members, and shuttles run from the EUC if you need transportation. There, you’ll find volleyball and Frisbee golf, shelters and charcoal grills, hiking trails, and a myriad of water activities like kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and, of course, swimming.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, take the plunge this Saturday and come out for Piney Palooza, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a free event for UNCG students with slip-n-slides, giveaways, tie-dye stations, music, food trucks, and more. No need to drive all the way to the beach; Piney Lake is the perfect getaway.
The G is for Greensboro
Greensboro is more than just the city surrounding the campus. It’s an integral part of the Spartan experience. Make it your own by enjoying the many restaurants and coffee shops, considering a part-time job at a local business, and discovering local arts, history, and culture. Experience everything the city has to offer, and you’ll quickly feel like a local.
The vibrance of our city is on full display when Greensboro hosts the NC Folk Festival Sept. 18-20. During the annual folk fest weekend, our downtown streets are full of art vendors, food trucks, and stages featuring musicians and bands representing 60+ genres. This year’s headliners include Molly Tuttle (Americana), St. Paul & the Broken Bones (Soul), and The Roots (Hip-Hop).
As they say, all music is folk music. Move from a tent blasting indie pop to a jam session of contemporary jazz artists, and then to a stage rocking Mexican folk or reggae. It’s impossible not to find music you like at the NC Folk Festival, and attendees will often find a whole new favorite genre. Experience it all in downtown Greensboro on the third weekend of September, and the best part is that admission is completely free.
Here’s what you can expect…
Whether you are a new student, a local alumnus, or a UNCG neighbor, consider your September plans set. Just dust off your dancing shoes, grab your sunglasses or favorite Spartan hoodie, and cheer for the home team. There’s no better place to be than right here at the G.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Videography by David Row, University Communications.
