By Alexandra Townsend

“Saturday Night Live” comedian Marcello Hernandez, known for his popular character Domingo, is set to headline the Maryland Homecoming comedy show on Oct. 26. 

Since joining the SNL cast in 2022, Marcello Hernandez has quickly become a rising star. As Hernandez’s popularity grows, his act is set to be a hit among students, bringing plenty of laughs and energy to one of the semester’s most anticipated events. 

To garner excitement for the performance, the Student Alumni Leadership Council partnered with the Student Entertainment Events to host their first “Terps Tradition Table” last Wednesday outside of McKeldin Library. They raffled off free tickets to the show to encourage students to take part in the homecoming traditions and festivities. 

“Terps Tradition Table” is a new SALC initiative aimed at strengthening school pride by connecting students with UMD traditions, both old and new. 

Kaitlyn Dunbar, SALC’s vice president of campus programming and senior psychology major, primarily ran the event and discussed other events lined up for this month. Dunbar said. “We’ll be hosting an event each week of October leading up to homecoming.”

The raffle drew students to the table, where they entered their names for a chance to win, while also learning more about SALC.

Kalla Lavender, a senior information science major who transferred to UMD last spring, was among the students who stopped by the table. Lavender has already experienced some Maryland traditions.

“I’ve done a lot of Terrapin nose rubbing,” Lavender said, pointing at Testudo. 

Although she was not aware that the comedy show was a tradition, she was excited to engage in all that Maryland has to offer. 

“I want to go. I’m a transfer student, so I want to do as much as I possibly can,” Lavender said.

Hope Hetrick, a senior dietetics and Spanish double major, attended last year’s comedy show, which featured John Mulaney, and was eager to see who this year’s comedian was. 

Hetrick said she practically jumped out of her seat when she found out Hernandez was this year’s comedian. 

“I was actually so excited that it was Marcello Hernandez,” Hetrick said. “I made all my friends get tickets. I was sending the link to group chats, being like, ‘Make sure you get your tickets.’”

As Homecoming Weekend approaches, the buzz around campus continues to grow. Flyers for the comedy show have been displayed all over McKeldin Mall, the Student Union, and ESJ. Students who snagged tickets are already making plans to go with friends. 

The star power of Hernandez is shaping up to be one of the most memorable shows in recent years, as all of the early bird floor tickets have already sold out. Whether students come for the laughs, the game, or just the chance to celebrate being a Terp, the message is clear: Homecoming is about connection, community, and keeping Maryland pride alive.

Featured Image: SALC members running the Terps Tradition Table outside of McKeldin Library. Photo by Alexandra Townsend.