Bucknell University Athletics
Women's Basketball to Honor Fallen Military Saturday at Sojka
1/25/2019 12:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Each Player Will Wear a Shirt with the Name of a Fallen Soldier on the Back
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell women's basketball has teamed with Medals of Honor to help remember and honor our fallen service members as part of Hero Appreciation Day when the Bison host Holy Cross at Sojka Pavilion on Saturday at 2 p.m. Each Bucknell player will wear a shirt with the name of a fallen soldier on the back during pregame warmups and on the bench.
The shirts are just one part of Hero Appreciation Day, which includes free admission for all veterans, active-duty servicemen and servicewomen, Gold Star families, and all first responders (police, fire, EMS). A care package drive will be held to collect items that will be shipped overseas to male and female soldiers. Last year, Bucknell was able to ship out nearly 70 care packages. *Please read the bottom of this article for preferred care package items.
Below is a closer look at each fallen hero, as well as which player will be wearing a shirt to honor them:
CPL KAREN CLIFTON | Shirt worn by #4 Gia Hayes
Clifton, 22, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., was killed in Baghdad on June 21, 2007. A native of Mount Zion, Illinois, she moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida, to finish high school before enlisting in the Army. Clifton, whose nickname was Kid Rock, enjoyed poetry, music, shopping and Indy car racing. She also liked watching horror, comedy and action films. She was attending college in Germany and hoped to become a state trooper.
CPT ELIZABETH KEALY | Shirt worn by #11 Taylor O'Brien
Kealy, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was killed in a helicopter training exercise in Twentynine Palms, California, on Jan. 23, 2015. She was deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Kealy was a graduate of the Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 2005. She was a UH-1Y Huey helicopter pilot and weapon training instructor.
CPT KIMBERLY HAMPTON | Shirt worn by #12 Marly Walls
Hampton, 27, of Easley, South Carolina, died on Jan. 2, 2004 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was an honors graduate and standout tennis player at Presbyterian College, earning South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year honors in 1997 and 1998. Hampton was the first female military pilot in United States history to be shot down and killed as a result of hostile fire. She is remembered for her ability to overcome adversity, even at an early age, as well as her motivation and generosity to everyone around her.
CPT SARA KNUTSON CULLEN | Shirt worn by #23 Ally Johnson
Knutson Cullen, 27, of Eldersburg, Maryland, died in Kandahar, Afghanistan on March 11, 2013. She was a 2007 graduate of West Point, where she majored in law. After airborne school she was stationed in Fort Rucker, where she learned to fly Black Hawk helicopters. After spending three years in Fairbanks, Alaska, she was deployed to Pakistan on a humanitarian mission. Knutson married Chris Cullen, a former Black Hawk pilot, in November of 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. Knutson Cullen is remembered as smart, pretty, and funny, with a hysterical laugh.
CSM MARILYN GABBARD | Shirt worn by #2 Kyi English
Gabbard, 46, of Polk City, Iowa, died on Jan. 20, 2007, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was the first woman promoted to the rank of command sergeant major in the Iowa Army National Guard. Gabbard graduated from Boone High School in 1979 and immediately joined the National Guard. She went on to serve for 27 years.
CW2 BILLIE JEAN GRINDER | Shirt worn by #3 Tessa Brugler
Grinder, 25, of Gallatin, Tennessee, died on Feb. 21, 2010, in Qayyarah, Iraq. A 2002 graduate of Smyrna High School, she immediately joined the Tennessee Army National Guard, continuing in a line of a proud military family. Among many other things, Grinder is remembered by her family for her smile and her generosity.
CW2 JENNIFER HUNTER | Shirt worn by #24 Autumn Ceppi
Hunter, 36, of Abilene, Texas, died at her home in Fort Carson, Colorado, on June 27, 2015, due to glioblastoma (brain cancer) after 15 years of service in the United States Army. She came from a long line of family in the military, including two of her great grandfathers who served during WWII, her grandfather during the Vietnam War, and her father during Desert Storm. Jennifer's awards include a Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Army Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon and three overseas Service Ribbons.
LTC JAIMIE LEONARD | Shirt worn by #25 Abby Kapp
Leonard, 39, of Warrick, N.Y., died on June 8, 2013, in Sharana, Afghanistan, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. A 1997 graduate of West Point, she was part of the 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum and served three combat tours. At West Point, Jaimie was a member of the crew team. Her school classmates remember her as a hardworking student, a fierce competitor on the school's crew team and a caring friend.
PVT JANELLE KING | Shirt worn by #13 Rachel Dumiak
King, 23, of Merced, California, died on Aug. 14, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The eldest daughter of an Air Force official, she was born in Altus, Oklahoma, before living in California, Panama and Hawaii. King was an aspiring EMT and an avid reader.
SGT TRICIA JAMESON | Shirt worn by #50 Kaitlyn Slagus
Jameson, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was killed in western Iraq on July 14, 2005. The Army National Guard medic was on her way to treat wounded Marines when her ambulance Humvee was targeted by insurgents. Before going to Iraq, she worked full time as a health care specialist at the Nebraska Air National Guard base clinic in Lincoln. She previously had worked at Camp Ashland. She also instructed combat lifesaver training for Nebraska. Hundreds of soldiers who learned from Tricia went on to save lives on battlefields across the world.
SPC ERICA ALECKSEN | Shirt worn by #40 Ellie Mack
Alecksen, 21, of Eatonton, Georgia, was killed in eastern Afghanistan on July 8, 2012, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. She was a member of the 978th Military Police Brigade and was a 2009 graduate of Putnam County High School in Georgia. Alecksen chose to be an MP because of her desire to protect soldiers and their families.
SPC SARINA BUTCHER | Shirt worn by #20 Kate Walker
Butcher, 19, of Checotah, Oklahoma, died on Nov. 1, 2011, in Laja Ahmad Khel, Paktya province, Afghanistan, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. She came from a military family, following in her grandfather's and brother's footsteps. An aspiring nurse, Butcher joined the National Guard to help finance and pursue her career dreams while also helping to support her young daughter, Zoey.
SrA KCEY RUIZ | Shirt worn by #22 Maegan Mikkelsen
Ruiz, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Norma, New Jersey, was killed on Oct. 2, 2015, in Afghanistan while serving during Operation Freedoms Sentinel. She was stationed at Hanscom AFB in Boston, and was attached to the 66th Security Forces Squadron. Ruiz enlisted in the Air Force shortly after her 2012 graduation from Dutchtown High School. She was remembered fondly by family and friends, who have noted her constant smile.
*Below is a brief list of some items that we look for that are ideal to ship to soldiers overseas, both MALE and FEMALE, albeit this is not all-encompassing. Please note we cannot ship any aerosols due to regulations from the FAA.
- Canned/Packaged food (beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, chili, rice)
- Small Snacks (granola bars, cookies, chips, candy, gum)
- Soap/Body Wash
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Razors/Shaving Cream
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Lotion/Skin Care Products/Sunscreen
- Word Searches, Crossword Puzzles, Trivia Games
The shirts are just one part of Hero Appreciation Day, which includes free admission for all veterans, active-duty servicemen and servicewomen, Gold Star families, and all first responders (police, fire, EMS). A care package drive will be held to collect items that will be shipped overseas to male and female soldiers. Last year, Bucknell was able to ship out nearly 70 care packages. *Please read the bottom of this article for preferred care package items.
Below is a closer look at each fallen hero, as well as which player will be wearing a shirt to honor them:
CPL KAREN CLIFTON | Shirt worn by #4 Gia Hayes
Clifton, 22, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., was killed in Baghdad on June 21, 2007. A native of Mount Zion, Illinois, she moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida, to finish high school before enlisting in the Army. Clifton, whose nickname was Kid Rock, enjoyed poetry, music, shopping and Indy car racing. She also liked watching horror, comedy and action films. She was attending college in Germany and hoped to become a state trooper.
CPT ELIZABETH KEALY | Shirt worn by #11 Taylor O'Brien
Kealy, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was killed in a helicopter training exercise in Twentynine Palms, California, on Jan. 23, 2015. She was deployed twice with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Kealy was a graduate of the Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 2005. She was a UH-1Y Huey helicopter pilot and weapon training instructor.
CPT KIMBERLY HAMPTON | Shirt worn by #12 Marly Walls
Hampton, 27, of Easley, South Carolina, died on Jan. 2, 2004 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was an honors graduate and standout tennis player at Presbyterian College, earning South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year honors in 1997 and 1998. Hampton was the first female military pilot in United States history to be shot down and killed as a result of hostile fire. She is remembered for her ability to overcome adversity, even at an early age, as well as her motivation and generosity to everyone around her.
CPT SARA KNUTSON CULLEN | Shirt worn by #23 Ally Johnson
Knutson Cullen, 27, of Eldersburg, Maryland, died in Kandahar, Afghanistan on March 11, 2013. She was a 2007 graduate of West Point, where she majored in law. After airborne school she was stationed in Fort Rucker, where she learned to fly Black Hawk helicopters. After spending three years in Fairbanks, Alaska, she was deployed to Pakistan on a humanitarian mission. Knutson married Chris Cullen, a former Black Hawk pilot, in November of 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. Knutson Cullen is remembered as smart, pretty, and funny, with a hysterical laugh.
CSM MARILYN GABBARD | Shirt worn by #2 Kyi English
Gabbard, 46, of Polk City, Iowa, died on Jan. 20, 2007, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was the first woman promoted to the rank of command sergeant major in the Iowa Army National Guard. Gabbard graduated from Boone High School in 1979 and immediately joined the National Guard. She went on to serve for 27 years.
CW2 BILLIE JEAN GRINDER | Shirt worn by #3 Tessa Brugler
Grinder, 25, of Gallatin, Tennessee, died on Feb. 21, 2010, in Qayyarah, Iraq. A 2002 graduate of Smyrna High School, she immediately joined the Tennessee Army National Guard, continuing in a line of a proud military family. Among many other things, Grinder is remembered by her family for her smile and her generosity.
CW2 JENNIFER HUNTER | Shirt worn by #24 Autumn Ceppi
Hunter, 36, of Abilene, Texas, died at her home in Fort Carson, Colorado, on June 27, 2015, due to glioblastoma (brain cancer) after 15 years of service in the United States Army. She came from a long line of family in the military, including two of her great grandfathers who served during WWII, her grandfather during the Vietnam War, and her father during Desert Storm. Jennifer's awards include a Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Army Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon and three overseas Service Ribbons.
LTC JAIMIE LEONARD | Shirt worn by #25 Abby Kapp
Leonard, 39, of Warrick, N.Y., died on June 8, 2013, in Sharana, Afghanistan, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. A 1997 graduate of West Point, she was part of the 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum and served three combat tours. At West Point, Jaimie was a member of the crew team. Her school classmates remember her as a hardworking student, a fierce competitor on the school's crew team and a caring friend.
PVT JANELLE KING | Shirt worn by #13 Rachel Dumiak
King, 23, of Merced, California, died on Aug. 14, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The eldest daughter of an Air Force official, she was born in Altus, Oklahoma, before living in California, Panama and Hawaii. King was an aspiring EMT and an avid reader.
SGT TRICIA JAMESON | Shirt worn by #50 Kaitlyn Slagus
Jameson, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was killed in western Iraq on July 14, 2005. The Army National Guard medic was on her way to treat wounded Marines when her ambulance Humvee was targeted by insurgents. Before going to Iraq, she worked full time as a health care specialist at the Nebraska Air National Guard base clinic in Lincoln. She previously had worked at Camp Ashland. She also instructed combat lifesaver training for Nebraska. Hundreds of soldiers who learned from Tricia went on to save lives on battlefields across the world.
SPC ERICA ALECKSEN | Shirt worn by #40 Ellie Mack
Alecksen, 21, of Eatonton, Georgia, was killed in eastern Afghanistan on July 8, 2012, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. She was a member of the 978th Military Police Brigade and was a 2009 graduate of Putnam County High School in Georgia. Alecksen chose to be an MP because of her desire to protect soldiers and their families.
SPC SARINA BUTCHER | Shirt worn by #20 Kate Walker
Butcher, 19, of Checotah, Oklahoma, died on Nov. 1, 2011, in Laja Ahmad Khel, Paktya province, Afghanistan, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. She came from a military family, following in her grandfather's and brother's footsteps. An aspiring nurse, Butcher joined the National Guard to help finance and pursue her career dreams while also helping to support her young daughter, Zoey.
SrA KCEY RUIZ | Shirt worn by #22 Maegan Mikkelsen
Ruiz, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Norma, New Jersey, was killed on Oct. 2, 2015, in Afghanistan while serving during Operation Freedoms Sentinel. She was stationed at Hanscom AFB in Boston, and was attached to the 66th Security Forces Squadron. Ruiz enlisted in the Air Force shortly after her 2012 graduation from Dutchtown High School. She was remembered fondly by family and friends, who have noted her constant smile.
*Below is a brief list of some items that we look for that are ideal to ship to soldiers overseas, both MALE and FEMALE, albeit this is not all-encompassing. Please note we cannot ship any aerosols due to regulations from the FAA.
- Canned/Packaged food (beans, vegetables, fruit, soup, chili, rice)
- Small Snacks (granola bars, cookies, chips, candy, gum)
- Soap/Body Wash
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Razors/Shaving Cream
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Lotion/Skin Care Products/Sunscreen
- Word Searches, Crossword Puzzles, Trivia Games
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballLafayette at Bucknell Baseball Game One Highlights 3-13-2026
Friday, March 13
In The Herd: Patriot League Home Opener Preview And John Young Feature
Thursday, March 12
Bucknell Wrestling - EIWAs Recap & NCAAs Preview
Tuesday, March 10
St. Joseph's at Bucknell Baseball Highlights 3-7-2026
Sunday, March 08