MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University Office of Alumni
Affairs will make adjustments to Homecoming Weekend, including the
Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Homecoming Golf
Tournament due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The on-campus Homecoming celebration scheduled for Sept.
18-19 will transition to a week-long series of virtual opportunities and
programs for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community to enjoy beginning
Oct. 19. The Homecoming Golf Tournament will pause for 2020, and the University
will host an on-campus Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at a later time when it
is safe to do so. The University made these decisions after careful
consideration and collaboration with the Mansfield University Alumni
Association Board of Directors and Mansfield University Athletics.
Mansfield will postpone both announcing a 2020 Hall of Fame class
and hosting the induction ceremony as to not lessen the experience for the
deserving inductees and their families.
“The honor of being inducted into the Mansfield University
Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame is a singular one and the highest honor a former
athlete can aspire to,” said Director of Athletics Peggy Carl. “To have that
honor limited in any way diminishes the importance of that experience for our
inductees. We will move forward with a spectacular class as soon as we are able
to once the pandemic clears and we can honor them in person, with all of the
pomp and circumstance due to each inductee.”
The Alumni Association understands returning to campus for
Homecoming is an annual highlight for many alumni and friends of MU. “While we
understand this decision may be disheartening to Mountaineers and friends of
the University, the University’s priority rests with the health and safety of
their students, faculty, and staff,” said Bryan Lane, Alumni Association
President.
“These are unprecedented times that call for creative
solutions,” said Director of Alumni Relation Casey Wood. “Our goal is to safely
provide engagement opportunities while continuing to preserve and host hallmark
programming in such a way that honors and respects our traditions.
“These decisions are vital to the health and safety of our
campus community and beyond. In October, we will provide unique programming
opportunities in a safe, virtual way as we look forward to the time when we can
once again join together on campus.”
More information and a detailed schedule of the week-long
virtual program offerings will be forthcoming.