A Decade of Fun
Pioneer Challenge expands offerings during 10th year in Pennsylvania
The Pioneer Challenge, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in June, just keeps getting bigger and better.
An event that started with five golfers getting together with then-new football coach Andy Waddle has grown into a multi-day event that included two concerts and a fireworks display at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in June.
And by the way, the event has raised close to $200,000 to support Marietta College athletics and academics.
The event is driven by a passionate group of Pioneers led by David Reese ’79, Bill Kingzett ’79, Carol Kingzett ’81, Mike Duggan ’80, Warren Messner ’80, and John ’80 and Becky ’80 Stansfield.
“The Pioneer Challenge is more than just a golf outing to raise money for the College,” Reese says. “This is a way for us to reconnect with old friends, classmates, and teammates. We truly love each other’s company, and we know how to have FUN when we get together.”
This year 60 individuals played golf, and more than 100 participated in other events related to the weekend. Joining President Bill Ruud from the College were coaches from football (Andy Waddle, Zach Feltrop, Reed Florence, Thomas Hinkle ’16, Brandon Peluso, and Caleb Riggleman ’19), men’s soccer (Joe Bergin ’86), track & field (Jason Davis), golf (Tom Arison and Callie Arison). Larry Hiser, Director of Athletics, Josh Jacobs, Vice President for Advancement, and Tara Meagle, Associate Director of Events and Alumni Relations were also in attendance.
“We put this outing together to provide support for the athletic teams that were a big part of our college lives,” Kingzett says. “While participating as a student-athlete, our teammates became our friends for life. We spent time on the athletic field competing, relishing the victories, while learning life lessons in defeat. Four years later, those teammates had become best friends.”
It is those friendships that served as motivation to create the Pioneer Challenge.
“All of our Pioneer Challenge committee members had a desire to give back to Marietta in ways beyond the simple giving of their finances,” Kingzett says. “This outing has provided the vehicle to do that. The committee will continue to keep the Pioneer Challenge event fresh with new ideas! What that might look like in the future is anyone’s guess.”
Men’s soccer coach Joe Bergin says this year was the most fun he has had since more of his teammates from the mid-1980s attended. It was also enjoyable because soccer won the Golden Musket Award, which goes to the MC team that performs the best over the weekend.
“It is a great time getting together with friends and alumni — many of them I haven’t seen in a long time, or I only see this one weekend a year,” Bergin says. “This is the soccer program’s second biggest fundraiser of the year because of the amazing work Bill and David do rallying alumni to attend and organizing this amazing weekend.”
There are a few sponsors who have donated every year, and “Dave ’78 and Brenda Rickey would be at the front of that line, along with many other individuals,” Kingzett says.
While dozens of Marietta College coaches have attended over the past decade, what Kingzett and Reese enjoy the most is reconnecting with alumni who have traveled from Alaska, California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas to Whispering Pines Golf Course.
The alumni competitors ranged in class years from 1977 (Keith Tuten) to 2022 (Blake Chisholm). There was even a current student — Gabriel Haines ’23 — who showed off his golfing skills.
Alumna Sadie Johnson ’21 also made an appearance on stage performing with The Michael Weber Show on Thursday.
Sadie Johnson ’21 performing with The Michael Weber Show.
Sadie Johnson ’21 performing with The Michael Weber Show.
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