Brenna Busby & Logan Weaver
Alumni, students, and friends gathered at Muskingum University for the annual Homecoming Weekend Oct. 13-14. “Living the Legacy” – the theme for Muskingum’s 2017 Homecoming festivities – was inspired by the generations of alumni who have come before current students. The theme paid tribute to those who have made the university what it is today.
Homecoming week kicked off Oct. 11 with the annual bonfire on the campus quad. The top three king and queen contestants were announced: Jenna Pendleton, Mickayla Sanger, Lexie Sydenstricker, Ryan Burkhart, Zackary Devoll, and Darius Hayes-Carruth.
Varsity Revue was held Oct. 13 in John Glenn Gym and featured a mix of solo performances and Greek organizations from around campus, with the Muskie cheerleaders closing the show. Reigning Homecoming Queen Nicole Navicky and King Matt Triola crowned the new Muskie royalty. The 2017 homecoming queen is Lexie Sydenstricker and the new king is Ryan Burkhart.
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- Muskingum Juniors Lexi Sydenstricker (left) and Ryan Burkhart (right) after being crowned Homecoming Queen and King at Varsity Revue. The event was the official kickoff for Muskingum’s homecoming weekend. (Photo Credit: Franco Bossa)
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- Muskingum Seniors Nicole Navicky (left) and Matt Triola (right) help present the 2017 Homecoming King and Queen during Varsity Revue. Navicky and Triola were received the honors in 2016. (Photo Credit: Franco Bossa)
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- Members of Theta Phi Alpha after their performance during Varsity Revue 2017. (Photo Credit: Franco Bossa)
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- Muskingum Sophomore, Alex Clark, plays the bass during Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s Varsity Revue performance. (Photo Credit: Franco Bossa)
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- Muskingum Senior Gabe Ryan plays the harmonica during Varsity Revue 2017. The event officially kicked-off Muskingum’s weekend of homecoming festivities. (Photo Credit: Franco Bossa)
The Muskingum University Athletic Hall of Fame breakfast was hosted in the Anne C. Steele Center Saturday morning. Rudy Gerlach ’56, William C. Hockaday ’01, Shawn Douglass ’04, Cara Thompson ’04, and Dan Hughes ’77 were named 2017 inductees during the ceremony. Each member was recognized during halftime of the football game.
Saturday morning included the annual Muskie Fun Run. Greek organizations opened their houses so alumni could meet with current members of their clubs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Senior Director of Admission Beth Dalonzo also led a presentation entitled “Legacy Visit” for alums with children soon to be starting the college search.
Lunch was held in the Walter K. Chess Center. Alumni were also able to see their old dorm buildings during residence hall tours.
The Family & Student Activities Spree on the East Lawn began at noon featuring current clubs and organizations with activities.
Director of Alumni Relations, Jen Bronner ’97, said some of her favorite memories of homecoming is seeing the familiar faces return to campus.
Although there was no parade during this year’s festivities, Bronner said the Activity Spree allowed alumni to interact with their clubs and organizations in more ways than previous years.
The Fighting Muskies football team took on the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets at McConagha Stadium. The Muskies lost a close 23-20 battle in the 96th homecoming game, scoring 13 of their points in the second half.
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- From left to right: President Susan S. Hasseler, 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees Dan Hughes ’77, Cara Thompson ’04, Dr. William C. Hockaday ’01, Rudy Gerlach ’56, and Athletic Director Larry Shank. (Not pictured: Shawn Douglass ’04). (Photo Credit: Krissy Hughes).
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- Fighting Muskies WR Damon Jones fights off Baldwin Wallace defenders for extra yardage during the 2017 homecoming game. The Fighting Muskies lost to the Yellow Jackets 23-20 (Photo Credit: Krissy Hughes).
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- Fighting Muskies TE Granger Long (11) hauls in a touchdown pass at the goal line against Baldwin Wallace. The Muskies fell to the Yellow Jackets 23-20 during the 2017 Homecoming game. (Photo Credit: Krissy Hughes).
The mens soccer team also hosted Baldwin Wallace at the newly renovated North Turf Field. The men lost 5-1. The Alumni Social took place at the field during the game where alumni could connect with faculty and staff members.
The annual Collage Concert was held in Brown Chapel Saturday at 7 p.m. hosted by the Department of Music. Large ensembles, faculty, and student soloists filled the chapel performing sixty minutes of back-to-back pieces. The variety of musical genres presented, along with the rapidity of the performance, resulted in a “collage” of sounds that is unique to the performance format.
Marty Kurtz ’17, attended events as a new member of the Long Magenta Line. Kurtz said homecoming lived up to its name.
“It’s coming home,” said Kurtz. “Muskingum is home to me.”
Next year’s alumni reunion and homecoming weekend is scheduled for Oct. 19-21, 2018.
