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Mansfield University to hold ‘Heroes Come Home’ Homecoming weekend

Mansfield University will celebrate “Heroes Come Home” with alumni, family and friends during Homecoming weekend from Oct. 19 to 21.

The weekend will feature the return to campus for Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Seth Kelly, who will serve as Grand Marshall of Saturday’s homecoming parade at 9 a.m., and Detective Heather Long, of the Pottstown Police Dept. The Mansfield University Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame also will induct former men’s basketball coach Tom Ackerman; men’s basketball standout Ken Bianchi ’67; track and cross country star Terry Stanley ’64; and longtime voice of the Mountaineers, Chris Vaughn, 5:15 p.m. Friday at the Hall of Fame induction dinner.

Kelly was shot and severely wounded on November 7, 2017, when he and his partner came under fire during a traffic stop in Plainfield Township. His story of survival-beginning with his quick-thinking application of a tourniquet to his gunshot wound-received national attention. He was named Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Detective Long will also be honored at this year’s parade. Heather is a Mansfield University field hockey All-American and a 2014 inductee to the MU Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame. She was recently selected to represent the United States at the 2018 FIH Masters World Cup in Spain. In 2015, Heather was named Police Officer of the Year by the Pottstown Police Department.

The weekend begins 9 a.m. Friday with the Homecoming golf tournament at Corey Creek Club. All proceeds of the tournament benefit Mounties athletics and registration is available online. Friday’s schedule also includes Wine and Design at 7 p.m. Alumni are also welcome to gather downtown for a Pub Crawl at 7 p.m. at Yorkholo Brewing Co.

On Saturday, the festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Homecoming parade on Main Street and the Butsko Breakfast to honor the memory of Frank Butsko in North Manser. After the parade, the Alumni Association tailgate gets underway at 10 a.m. in Upper Lot N. Complimentary beverages and a snack bar will be available, as well as a DJ. A kid-zone will also be available at 10 a.m., where children can enjoy games, arts and crafts, snacks and outdoor fun. The Homecoming football game kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Mountaineers hosting the Franklin Pierce Ravens at Karl Van Norman field. At halftime the homecoming queen and king will be crowned and “The Spirit & the Pride of Pennsylvania” Mansfield University Marching Band will perform. Other events on the slate early Saturday include the alumni softball game at 11 a.m., and the alumni baseball game at 1 p.m.

After the game, there will be a Mountie Mixer at the water tower at 5 p.m. Alumni and students are invited to this professional social networking event. There will be a party at 7 p.m. at the Water Tower following the event.

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