|
For more about 100
Years of Athletics,
click here
Spartan greats to
gather
with community to
celebrate
100 Years of
Athletics at MC
Manchester College will
celebrate its 100-year history of athletics Sept. 22 with a reunion of
hundreds of its past and present student athletes and coaches –
including basketball icon Steve Alford and National Medal of Science
winner (and baseball star) Dr. Gene Likens.
 Among other former standouts taking the podium for
the 100 Years of Athletics banquet will be Spartan football defensive
standout Freddie Bullock and two national champions: cross-country star
Brenda Ramsey and sprinter/hurdler Amy Petersime Floria.
At least 500 guests are expected for the 5:30 p.m.
reception and dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 22 in the Physical Education
and Recreation Center (PERC) on the northern Indiana campus. The college
will recognize its baseball and women’s soccer teams, which traveled to
nationals last season, as well as Hall of Fame members. About 100
current Spartans will join the party to rub shoulders with the college’s
living legends and help salute 100 top Spartans, top Spartan events and
teams.
The community, which has witnessed this athletics
history, is invited to share in the celebration. Tickets, at $40, are
available through the President’s Office, (260) 982-5050. Tickets for
ticketholder guests are $20; $10 for children 14 and under. A portion of
the proceeds will support Spartan athletics, and table and other gift
levels for the event are available. Reservations are necessary.
President Parker G. Marden and Athletic Director
Tom Jarman call the gathering a demonstration of the philosophy of
athletics at Manchester College. Athletics, from the beginning 100 years
ago, have been intermingled with the academic goals of the college. “At
Manchester, education and athletics complement each other. The students
have been the beneficiaries of that,” said Jarman.
“We will acknowledge the excellence that has
characterized MC athletics over the years; and that sustains our program
today,” said Marden. “And, we will celebrate the special gift that we
have – Manchester has a program for student-athletes. There are no
athletic scholarships; each athlete needs to be successful in the
classroom.” Manchester competes in the NCAA Division III and Heartland
Athletic Conference.
Dr. Gene E. Likens, a 1957 science graduate of
Manchester College, demonstrates the successful merging of athletics and
scholarly study. “Sports have always been very important in my life,”
said the ecologist, who received the National Medal of Science for
lifetime achievement in scientific research in 2002. “I was very
delighted to have the opportunity to pursue organized sports through my
activities at Manchester College." As a Spartan, he was All-Conference
in the outfield before moving on to professional baseball for two
seasons.
Dr. Likens, director of the Institute of Ecosystem
Studies, and his colleagues discovered acid rain in North America,
leading to national legislation and raising awareness of the connections
between human activities and the ecosystems.
University of Iowa Hawkeyes Coach Steve Alford
spent 3½ years as head coach for the men’s basketball program at
Manchester College, guiding the team to runner-up in the Division III
men’s basketball national championships. The three-time
Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of
the Year left MC with an overall record of 78-29.
Alford has a gold medal from the 1984 Olympic Games
and led Indiana University to the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Tournament
championships in 1987. Drafted 26th into the NBA in 1987, he
played pro ball four seasons (mostly with Dallas Mavericks). He was
Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 1983 as a New Castle Chrysler High School
senior.
The event also will feature 1973 grad and
multi-sport standout Freddie Bullock, NAIA
All-District in football in 1971 and in track and field in 1972.
Bullock held Manchester’s high jump record for 10 years and won the
conference championship as a wrestler. Today he works with youth groups
and is an assistant principal and wrestling coach.
Manchester is a Church
of the Brethren college with about 1,100 students in 45 areas of study.
For more information about the school, visit
www.manchester.edu |
