Throughout the fall, Southeast Missouri State University football brings thousands of alumni, families, fans, and visitors to Cape Girardeau with Homecoming serving as one of the season’s biggest opportunities to welcome visitors back and showcase all Cape Girardeau has to offer. Local restaurants prepare for busy dining rooms, hotels welcome visitors from across the country and community businesses play a part in making the season memorable.
The economic impact reflects a longstanding connection between SEMO and Cape Girardeau, one that local business owners and community partners see throughout the year but that becomes especially visible during football season.
At Mary Jane bourbon + smokehouse, Homecoming is one of the restaurant’s 10 busiest days of the year. Preparing for the crowds requires advance planning, additional staffing and plenty of food.
Preparation begins early in the week, with a full prep team reporting all week long and again at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Staff work throughout game day, preparing food from scratch and keeping up with the demand.
Its involvement with SEMO Athletics has expanded beyond the restaurant, including food service and catering for athletic events and activities.
For Owner Chris Marchi, the restaurant’s connection to the University extends beyond game-day business. His involvement with the athletic department reflects a bigger relationship between the University’s programs and the businesses that support them.
“There is a direct correlation between our city and the success of our athletic department,” said Marchi.
Hotels experience another side of Homecoming’s impact, accommodating visiting teams, officials, alumni and families who travel to Cape Girardeau for the festivities.
At Drury Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Hotel Sales Coordinator Amy Roth works directly with collegiate athletic teams visiting SEMO. Her responsibilities include responding to lodging requests, coordinating room arrangements and helping teams plan their stays.
Those visits can require substantial space. Visiting football teams may reserve between 65 and 75 rooms, while also using meeting rooms for team meals, preparation and other activities.
Roth said the Drury Plaza Hotel and Conference Center and The Drury Inn & Suites in Cape Girardeau, another property within the Drury family, were both almost completely sold out Homecoming weekend.
The relationship between SEMO and local hotels also extends beyond Homecoming. The hotel offers discounted rates for SEMO parents, making it easier for families to return for games and campus visits. These visits bring additional guests into local hotels and create opportunities for visitors to explore the community while supporting the Redhawks.
For Roth, the relationship is about more than filling rooms. She sees the University’s events as an important part of the community’s visitor economy, with guests also having opportunities to explore local restaurants and attractions during their stays.
“Drury Hotels has a wonderful relationship with SEMO Athletics and we’re very fortunate to serve the Cape Girardeau community,” said Roth. “As a parent of a SEMO student and alumna, Homecoming is a great experience to see the impact of people coming into our community.”
While hotels and restaurants serve visitors directly, VisitCape helps people discover what Cape Girardeau has to offer during their time in the city.
Jeanne Muckerman, manager of VisitCape, said the organization promotes the community’s riverfront, historic downtown, dining, arts, recreation, shopping and events. Its work encourages visitors to stay longer, explore local businesses and build connections that may bring them back.
“Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity to welcome alumni, families and friends back to Cape,” said Muckerman.
For those returning, Homecoming offers a chance to reconnect with SEMO and the community who makes it special.
