Bucknell Football Hosts Exciting 2025 Bud Ranck-Tom Gadd Memorial Kickoff Classic

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell community came together at the Bucknell Golf Course this past Saturday to support the Bison football program for the annual Bud Ranck-Tom Gadd Memorial Kickoff Classic. The 104 participants of the event enjoyed a great day of golf coupled with the opportunity to converse with some of the Bucknell football players.

The golf tournament was formatted as a shotgun scramble and the title sponsor for the event this year was Open Discourse Coalition. This serves as the program's biggest and most important offseason gathering and one time during the year that hundreds of former Bison athletes come together as one to take part in a day-long event. The tournament was followed by a post-round meal and comments by head coach Dave Cecchini regarding the upcoming 2025 season as well as a Q&A with some of the players.

The annual golf tournament was founded in 1995 by the late Bucknell head football coach Tom Gadd. In the tournament's second year, Gadd named the event after good friend Bud Ranck, who had passed away earlier that year. To memorialize Gadd after his passing in March 2003, the Ranck family announced at the dinner that the tournament would bear the names of both Bud Ranck and Tom Gadd.

This year's tournament was another outstanding gathering of both former and current teammates, supporters, and friends of the Bison football family.

Below is a list of the Ranck-Gadd Memorial Classic Kickoff Classic winners:

Winners 1st Flight:

Mike Jedlicka P'26, Ryan Jedlicka '26, Nate Anderson '26, Dan Anderson P'26

Winners 2nd Flight:

John Sullivan '86, Bobby Maute '96, Scott Lillis '88, H.J. Wilcox '88

Winners Masters Flight:

Doug Marinak '70, Paul Tomlin '68, John Ohnegian, Nate Natoli

Closest to the Pin Hole #4: Doug Marinak '70 -- 4'6"

Closest to the Pin Hole #10: Matt Caldwell -- Hole-in-One

Closest to the Pin Hole #16: Gene Mahon -- 10'

Longest Drive Hole #15: Owen Garwood '27

Longest Drive Seniors Hole #15: Doug Marinak '70

Winner of the Putting Contest: Christian Spugnardi '25

The Bucknell Football Program would like to thank the following for helping to sponsor this year's event:

Dinner Sponsors: Bucknell University President John Bravman, Jedlicka Family P'26 & Andersen Family P'27
Lunch Sponsors: In honor of Doug Besselman '85, Rucker Family
Golf Cart Sponsors: Bucknell University President John Bravman, Chartwells & The Sposato Family P'26
Tournament Contributors: Pepi Gomez P'29, Deb Hommel, Jersey Mike's, Weis Markets & Jen Yuengling '93
Hole & Foursome Sponsors: The Allard Family P'28, The Pechin Family P'20, Silvertip, Inc., The Steffelin Family P'28, Susquehanna Trailways LLC & H.J. Wilcox '88
Foursome Sponsors: Brewell Real Estate Holdings LLC, The Gomez Family P'29, Steve Rivera '08 & Sora Custom Framing & Gallery

Hole Sponsors: Scott Aiello '86, Allendale Bar & Grill, Barnes & Noble Bucknell Bookstore, Brian Callaha '86, Bull Run Tap House, Carl Chambers '89 P'17'19, Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Est., Country Inn & Suites, Andy Dzurinko '65, Pete Hall '78, Dave Henry '86 P'17, Josten's, Matty's Sporthouse Grill, Darryl Novak '63, Jeff & Deb Ranck, Steve Renock '74, Tony Rinaldo '60, Service 1st, Graham Showalter, Brad Tufts, Ken Twiford '62 P'86, West Branch Rental & 1996 Championship Team Captains: George Howanitz '97, Rich Lemon '97 & Brandon Little '97

Please mark your calendars for the 2026 Ranck-Gadd Memorial Kickoff Classic which will be taking place on July 18th!