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Baseball alumni cherish the opportunity to return to campus and be honored
For two days in April, some of the best players to ever wear the Marietta College pinstripes returned to campus for a memorable reunion that included alumni from the 1960s through the 2010s.
The focus was on celebrating the 1975 squad that finished second in the NCAA Division II/III championship and was the program’s first team to reach the World Series. Bill Mosca ’79, who both played and coached for the Etta Express, credits that talented squad with setting the standard for every team that has followed.
“I still believe the 1975 team is the most talented team in Marietta College history,” says Mosca, who is a member of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “When I coached at Marietta I tried to share with the players that this group helped elevate Marietta College baseball to where it is today.”
Joe Vogt ’76, one of the key organizers, could barely contain his excitement in seeing so many former teammates.
“The whole 1975 starting lineup is here, along with three of the pitchers,” Vogt says. “This really just started as me wanting to see some of my classmates after I retired. I ran into Brian McKeown ’78 during spring break last year, and he told me that he was already doing this with his 1978 and 1979 guys.”
Vogt and McKeown spoke with Mosca and started reaching out to as many former players as possible. Their efforts culminated by honoring the alums on the field following an 11-5 victory over Heidelberg in the first Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader game.
Three former Major League players — Kent Tekulve ’69, Duane Theiss ’76, and Jim Tracy ’78 — were among those who returned.
“We have provided every opportunity for everyone to have a good time — now it’s up to them,” says Mosca, who returned to Marietta from 1986-94 as an assistant coach under Hall of Famer Don Schaly. “This place is really important to all of us. It was an honor to be here.”
Many former players in attendance were part of an amazing 14-year run (1975-88) when Marietta played in 11 World Series — winning three, finishing runner-up five times, third twice, and fourth once.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Mosca says. “I still get chills thinking about it.”
The weekend started early for some as they arrived at the Fairfield Inn, which served as an unofficial headquarters. On Friday, the alumni played golf at the Marietta Country Club, took campus tours, and reconnected at The Gathering Place (the old IGA grocery store) for dinner. It was also a time to share stories.
“We are telling stories, but it is not about the wins and losses. It’s about the friendships, and of course, there are some funny Coach Schaly stories,” Vogt says. “It was time from the standpoint we’re getting older and someone might not be able to make it. It was time for everyone to get together.”
The former players also enjoyed seeing the matriarch of the program — Sue Knicely Schaly ’62 — and presented her flowers during an on-field recognition in between games of a doubleheader against Heidelberg.
“Now I understand why I went through all of this,” Vogt says. “Being able to reconnect with everyone is exactly why we did this. My hope is everyone continues to stay connected.”
Mosca adds, “You can’t explain to anyone what it’s like to play here. I coached great players, but I coached great young men from great families. I wish I had never left. I love Marietta College.”
TOM PERRY
Etta Express Family
Scott Barber ’90
Martin Bauer ’76
Mike Beardmore ’77
Brian Brewer ’93
Evan Brockmeier ’13
James Burton ’80
Ronald Cooper ’76
Nate Counts ’93
Robert Czech ’76
Ray Fanta ’76
Jim Fryfogle ’73
Tom Gruber ’83
Bill Holmes ’89
Greg Inselmann ’79
Shawn Joy ’92
Michael Kramer ’89
Ken Laveck ’77
Matt Malario ’90
Mike McCarroll ’91
Larry McCullough ’91
Brian McKeown ’78
Terry McMillin ’76
Bill Mosca ’79
Charles Nachreiner ’79
Kenneth Parsley ’75
Garry Rowland ’76
Dan Settles ’77
Kim Stanbery ’76
David Stiffler ’78
Roland Szafraniec ’78
Pat Tatom ’76
Jerry Tekulve ’71
Kent Tekulve ’69
Duane Theiss ’76
James Thibodeau ’90
Roger Thompson ’87
Jim Tracy ’78
Keith Tuten ’77
John Van Duyne ’76
Joe Vogt ’77
Matt Warden ’93
Jeff Welch ’77
Mike Wright ’65
Joe Yazombek ’76
From left to right: Roger Thompson ’87, Bill Holmes ’89, and Mike Kramer ’89 reconnect inside The Gathering Place.
From left to right: Roger Thompson ’87, Bill Holmes ’89, and Mike Kramer ’89 reconnect inside The Gathering Place.
Chuck Nachreiner ’79, Brian McKeown ’78, and Dave Stiffler ’78.
Chuck Nachreiner ’79, Brian McKeown ’78, and Dave Stiffler ’78.
Kent Tekulve ’69 (left) and Jim Tracy ’78 (right) pose for a photo with Marietta College's Advancement Officer Levi Maxwell.
Kent Tekulve ’69 (left) and Jim Tracy ’78 (right) pose for a photo with Marietta College's Advancement Officer Levi Maxwell.
For more information about The Marietta Fund or to make a gift, please contact Kathryn Gloor, Senior Director of Annual Giving, at (203) 809-4973, kathryn.gloor@marietta.edu or go to www.marietta.edu/give.
Love of alma mater shines bright with soon-to-be ‘Marietta Merger’
In three days (June 10, 2023), Catherine Sundstrom ’13 and Sean Munfield ’13 will make their “Marietta Merger” official.
“We joke that we feel we have been very merged these past 11 years, but we are ecstatic to get married in Marietta to complete the ‘merger,’ ” Catherine says. “It is our home away from home, just like in college. Not to mention the majority of the attendees/bridal party are all from The Long Blue Line! We have friends that turned into family, and we owe it all to MC.”
Their connection to Marietta is also why both have consistently made a gift to The Marietta Fund, which supports the immediate needs of students, faculty and staff. Catherine and Sean have each made a financial gift for six consecutive years — and the couple have no plans to stop.
“Marietta College was an instrumental step in getting me to where I am today,” Sean says. “The faculty, staff, coaches, students, and administrators were all so influential in my growth as a student-athlete. I look at my contribution as a way to ensure current and future students are gifted with the same opportunities and experiences that I had during my time at MC.”
And there is still time for alumni and other donors of the College to make a gift to this year’s Marietta Fund. The College hopes to exceed the $3 million goal by June 30, but even more important is increasing the percentage of alumni who give back — one of the criteria used in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of colleges and universities.
“We are fortunate to have so many passionate alumni and friends, who care deeply about Marietta College that they give of their time and treasure to benefit our students, faculty and staff,” says Kathryn Gloor, Senior Director of Annual Giving. “Catherine and Sean are two shining examples of Marietta alumni who help make a difference.”
Catherine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and was captain of the Dance Team her senior year, while Sean earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management and starred on the football team.
Now, both serve as Directors of Client Solutions at PatientPoint, a digital patient engagement platform.
“Donating has been important to me to support initiatives at the College to promote diversity and inclusion,” Catherine says. “Choosing where my donation goes makes me more inclined to donate and give back to the college that gave me so much.”
Sean adds, “The people at Marietta College have made the biggest impact on me. From freshman orientation to standing by my side at my wedding, MC has gifted me with a future wife and everlasting friendships that will be paying lifelong dividends.”
TOM PERRY
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