Bucknell University Athletics
Initial Bucknell Football Alumni Weekend a Huge Success
10/5/2012 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 5, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa.– While the current members of the Bucknell football team are focused on their upcoming game at Holy Cross on Saturday, the dozens of alumni who returned to Lewisburg for last weekend's initial Bucknell Football Alumni Weekend are still buzzing about the experience they had here on campus. Nearly 100 alumni and their families attended the event, which was designed to bring the Bucknell Football Family together in one setting for a weekend of fun and enjoyment, as well as an opportunity for the alumni to get better acquainted with the current coaching staff and student-athletes.
The brainchild of former Bison players, led by Mark Imbertson '98, Football Alumni Weekend will be held on a yearly basis, and is in addition to the annual campus Homecoming Celebration. Former Bison alumni should mark their calendar now for next year's event – Sept. 7, 2013 vs. Marist.
Head coach Joe Susan was able to take part in many of the weekend's activities, and was very pleased with both the turnout and the reactions from the alumni.
“Our football alumni weekend was outstanding,” said the third-year mentor. “It was good to see players return from many different classes. Once a football player, always a football player. It is your nature. The years change your body. They will never change your heart and the part of your soul that has been branded by this game. Teams create special bonds that last a lifetime. It was evident in my being able to spend time with our alumni group. It is amazing that though time and miles separate you, you can come together and return to this place and the special memories.”
The weekend featured a pregame tailgate for alumni and their families, sideline viewing for the alumni during the Cornell game, a postgame reception at the Towne Tavern Shanty and a brunch on campus in the Terrace Room Sunday morning. In addition, every returning Bison football player received a special commemorative t-shirt.
Former Bison Players Who Returned:
Name (Class)
Gene Hubka (1947)
J. Edgar Spielman Jr. (1948)
Raymond Tyler (1948)
Dr. Michael Gonta (1951)
Robert Fitzsimmons (1958)
Chuck Wagner (1958)
Lew Hart (1959)
John Bergfeld (1960)
Larry Claycomb (1960)
Denny Cox (1960)
Jack Eachus (1960)
Clint Gilkey (1960)
Larry Mathias (1960)
Bob Patzwall (1960)
Tony Rinaldo (1960)
Kirk Foulke (1962)
Dennis Morgan (1962)
Ken Twiford (1962)
Ron Giordano (1963)
Darryl Novak (1963)
Doug Williams (1963)
Alex McClinchie (1964)
Jim Henn (1968)
Terry Hubka (1968)
Gene Sabo (1968)
Richard Weaver (1968)
Steve Zarlinski (1969)
Randall Ruger (1970)
Don Giacomelli (1971)
Gene Luccarelli (1971)
Tarras Onischenko (1971)
Luke Rohrbaugh (1971)
Stepehn Eck (1973)
J. Anthony Moretz (1973)
John Ondrasik (1973)
Bob Brunnet (1974)
Michael Lesifko (1975)
Larry Brunt (1977)
Buzz McGrath (1977)
Don Reh (1977)
Alan Locey (1983)
Kyle Yearick (1984)
Edward Corsey Jr. (1985)
Al Yuknus (1985)
Tim Caldwell (1987)
Dean Sylvia (1987)
Tom Huntzinger (1988)
Scott Lillis (1988)
Todd Newcomb (1988)
Tim Pavlechko (1991)
Tom Martin (1992)
Michael Benevento (1993)
David Berardinelli (1993)
Eric Green (1993)
Jeff Hart (1993)
Robert Oshinskie (1993)
Steve Brown (1994)
Scott Thistlewaite (1994)
John Sakowski (1995)
Charles Crudup (1996)
Brian Gay (1996)
John Boyle (1997)
Jeff Bombich (1998)
Mark Imbertson (1998)
Douglas Layman (1998)
Kenny Scholtz (1998)
Ross Coleman (1999)
Colby Cooper (1999)
Tom Farrell (1999)
James John (1999)
Josh Roe (1999)
Brian Kramer (2000)
Don McDowell (2000)
Corey Deibler (2001)
Carson Book (2002)
Todd Wenrich (2003)
Andrew Decker (2006)
Chris Praylo (2006)
Mike Hardman (2007)
Brandon Friday (2008)
Andrew Guadagno (2008)
Ryan Walsh (2008)
Frank DeNick (2012)
Alex Simmons (2012)
Dan Beres
Bill Bauersfeld
