You’re standing on the field during the Homecoming Utah Football game, wearing a crown, listening to the roar of tens of thousands of Utah fans. They’re cheering. Loudly. And it’s all for you.
Every year, six University of Utah students stand on the field during the Homecoming football game, wearing a crown and sash, as they’re recognized by the entire University of Utah community.
That moment of celebration and shared pride encapsulates so much of the Homecoming Royalty experience. But that’s not all that being a member of Homecoming Royalty is about.
As an honored and longstanding tradition of the University of Utah’s Homecoming celebration, Homecoming Royalty is also about community, excellence, and legacy. It’s a meaningful way to honor six outstanding students, who are selected by the U Alumni Board of Governors for their academic accomplishments, leadership, service, and U pride.
Kai Cruz, a now senior at the U, and Jasmine Malhi, who is entering her junior year, were two of the six students named to Homecoming Royalty in 2025.
Kai is currently president of The MUSS and has spent almost two years on the MUSS Board. He started as a Business Scholar his freshman year before becoming a Business Scholars Ambassador his sophomore year. He’s interned with Utah Athletics and now Crimson Brand Partners for the last three years as a fan experience and game experience intern. He’s also a member of Delta Chi and is on the Committee on Student Affairs with ASUU this year.
Jasmine has been involved with the ASUU Sustainability Board for the past three years, where she is now currently director. She’s an ambassador for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and is also involved with Honors Student Advisory Council (HSAC) and the Utah Students for Conservation club.
Both Kai and Jasmine knew Homecoming Royalty members from previous years whose positive stories prompted them to apply.
“The people that I knew painted it as a really great experience,” said Jasmine.
For Kai, who is majoring in marketing and wants to work in fan experience and sports marketing, Homecoming Royalty allowed him to experience things he never would have considered doing before, like the Swoop Sprint. “My participation in Homecoming Royalty definitely got me out of my shell and allowed me to experience new things and create new memories.” Kai’s mom and younger sister came down to campus to run with him during the 5K. “We were running and I was telling them about memories or different places around campus.”
Jasmine, who is triple-majoring in QAMO, history, and political science and is hoping to work in environmental law after graduation, also said her experience helped put her out of her comfort zone. “I wouldn’t have signed up to run the 5K otherwise,” she said. “I wouldn’t have never met so many amazing people, like the people working with Utah Athletics or the people at U Alumni.”
As a member of royalty, she was exposed to a lot of different communities on campus. “It’s amazing because all of the people who were selected for royalty were already pretty involved to begin with,” said Jasmine. “But the fact that all of us felt like we were able to explore horizons we hadn’t before, despite being so involved, goes to show how much the university offers.”
Homecoming Royalty is about finding and building community—and that community is so much bigger than you might think!
“College, to me, is so much more than just the academia side of it,” said Jasmine. “I think college is about the memories and the connections you make. Being Homecoming Royalty is one of the best ways to feel like you’re connected with the U community. And it’s also a lasting legacy that you’ll never forget.”
Kai agrees. “It feels like you’re a part of a meaningful community, especially with those other five students who are with you that year.”
Through royalty, he got to meet fellow students and alumni who he might not have otherwise. “At the football game, it was really exciting to be walking in the concourse with my Homecoming stuff on and experiencing these alumni coming up and asking me who I was and what I had done to get to this point.”
Homecoming Royalty is a wonderful way to recognize students doing incredible things on campus. “Students deserve to be recognized,” said Kai. “I think this is a great opportunity for some of our best and most engaged students who devote themselves to making campus better to be recognized.”
Not sure if you qualify? Give it a shot! “Don’t be scared to apply!” said Jasmine. “I would have never thought that I would have gotten in.”
“I think students will be surprised once they really think about how much they’ve actually done on campus,” said Kai. “Whether it’s small things like being involved in clubs or doing well in classes, I think that everyone here on campus has something to offer and something they’ve accomplished.”
When asked to describe their experiences in three words, Jasmine recalls: “memorable, fun, and unparalleled.” For Kai? “We are Utah.”
Students selected as Homecoming Royalty will:
- Make appearances at select events throughout Homecoming Week Be recognized on the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium during the Homecoming Game on Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Houston (kickoff time to be announced).
- Receive up to 3 tickets for the Homecoming Football Game on Saturday, Oct. 24.
- Receive a $1,000 scholarship as part of their recognition.
Applications for 2026 Homecoming Royalty are open now, and will close on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Applicants must be currently enrolled students at the University of Utah. Undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students are eligible to apply. All Homecoming Royalty must be available to attend the Homecoming Football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Please reach out to Tyler Jaros at tyler.jaros@alumni.utah.edu if you have questions about Homecoming Royalty.