Mansfield, PA – Alumni, family and friends will return to Mansfield University to celebrate “Heroes Come Home” during Homecoming Weekend on October 19-21, 2018.
The weekend will feature the return to campus of two special honorees, Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Seth Kelly ‘00 and Detective Heather Long ‘05 of the Pottstown Police Department. Four new members will also be inducted into the Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame.
Corporal Kelly was shot and severely wounded on November 7, 2017, when he and his partner came under fire during a traffic stop in Plainfield Township. His story of survival—beginning with his quick-thinking application of a tourniquet to his gunshot wound—received national attention. He was named Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Corporal Kelly will serve as Grand Marshall of Saturday’s homecoming parade, which begins at 9 a.m.
Detective Long will also be honored at this year’s parade. Heather is a Mansfield University field hockey All-American and a 2014 inductee to the MU Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame. This summer, she was selected to represent the United States at the 2018 FIH Masters World Cup in Spain. In 2015, Heather was named Police Officer of the Year by the Pottstown Police Department.
The Mansfield University Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame will induct former men’s basketball coach Tom Ackerman, men’s basketball standout Ken Bianchi ‘67, track and cross country star Terry Stanley ‘74, and longtime voice of the Mountaineers, Chris Vaughn, Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Hall of Fame induction dinner.
Events
The weekend tees off Friday at 9:00 a.m. with the Homecoming golf tournament at Corey Creek Club. All proceeds of the tournament benefit Mounties athletics, and registration is now available online.
In addition to the golf tournament and Hall of Fame dinner, Friday’s schedule includes Wine and Design at 7p.m. where participants can enjoy a glass of wine while painting a picture based on the photography of Linda Stager ’73.
Alumni are also welcomed to gather downtown for a Pub Crawl. The gathering begins at Yorkholo Brewing Co. at 7 p.m., then the festivities will move to Chango’s Cantina at 8:30 p.m. Drink and appetizer special will be offered, and alumni can receive free swag and commemorative MU items from the Alumni Association.
On Saturday, the festivities begin with the Homecoming parade marching down Main St., at 9 a.m. Also at 9.a.m., the Butsko Breakfast will be held in North Manser. The Butsko Breakfast honors the memory of former Mountaineer assistant coach Frank Butsko. The highlight of the Butsko Breakfast is the presentation of the Frank Butsko Award, the most prestigious award that can be bestowed on a Mountaineer football player.
After the parade, the Alumni Association tailgate gets underway at 10 a.m. in Upper Lot N. Complimentary beverages and a snack bar will be available, as well as a D.J. spinning tunes. A kid-zone will also be available at 10 a.m. The kid-zone will be staffed by approved faculty, staff, and students that maintain all required clearances. Kids will enjoy games, arts and crafts, snacks, and simple outdoor fun.
The Homecoming football game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with the Mountaineers hosting the Franklin Pierce Ravens at Karl Van Norman field. Yorkholo Brewing Co. and Bluestone Brewery will be on location from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
At halftime the homecoming queen and king will be crowned and “The Spirit & the Pride of Pennsylvania” Mansfield University Marching Band will perform.
Other events on the slate early Saturday include the alumni softball game at 11 a.m., and the alumni baseball game at 1 p.m.
After the game, there will be a Mountie Mixer at the water tower at 5 p.m. Alumni and current students are invited to this professional social networking event. At 7 p.m. the Mountie Mixer transitions to the Party at the Water Tower. Yorkholo Brewing Co. and Bluestone Brewery will be on location providing beverages.
The Department of Music will be presenting a performance of the the highly popular PRISM Concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Steadman Theatre.
Lodging accommodations are available for Homecoming weekend at the Hickory Residence Hall. Accommodations include a climate-controlled room and private bathroom. An overnight reservation includes a light continental breakfast daily.
For a complete schedule, details and to register for events and accommodations, please visit mansfield.edu/alumni/events.
Please call (888)305-6505 or email alumni@mansfield.edu for more information.