MORGANTOWN — This summer, graduates from several area high schools will put their skills to the test on the softball field.
The St. Francis class of 1985 is sponsoring an all-schools reunion for the Morgantown area on June 23, and are encouraging all to attend.
That reunion will include a softball game.
Last year, Todd Gregg and some other classmates put together a reunion with a football game for former St. Francis football players. It was a success, but during the game, one alum broke his ankle.
“I have to give credit to one of my classmates, Susan Thorn, who said ‘You know, next year maybe we better do co-ed softball,’ ’’ Gregg said.
He and Thorn decided to hold a tri-ad event along with University High and Morgantown High and invite all classes to be involved.
“We all were friends, we played sports together, and then we branched off and went to our own high schools, and so we thought this would be a great opportunity for us to get everyone back together and open it up to all the classes,” Gregg said.
Gregg’s classmates always called him “the organizer” because he always steps up when it comes to planning get-togethers with former classmates.
“Something needs done, just call me,” he said.
Aside from the softball game, there will be a gathering from 7-9 p.m. June 22, at Big Red’s Shanty on Cheat Road. Another one of Gregg’s classmates, Chris “Big Red” Hewitt, owns the burger joint and plans to have an acoustic band on the deck that evening.
The co-ed softball game starts at 9:30 a.m. June 23, at White Park. A pavilion has been reserved, so people can bring their families and spend the day. Eric Jordan, a well-known DJ on the East Coast, is going to spin ’80s music all day. Pyles of Pasta food truck will sell eats at the event.
The alumni band from St. Francis, open to any alumni who wants to play, will march from the pavilion to Ogden Field prior to the game.
That evening, at 8 p.m., there will be a gathering at The Back Door, which is owned by another St. Francis alum, John Gentile.
Gregg said there’s no fee to play softball, and no cost to attend the reunion. He just wants people to show up, bring a baseball glove, and if they don’t have one then one can will be found for them to use. He wants people to come out and enjoy the day — and at the end wants to see who gets to take home the tri-ad trophy.
He said the main goal is for everyone to get together, and see friends they haven’t seen in years. Even if people don’t want to play softball, he wants people to come have a good time.
People living all over the country are coming back to the Mountain State to see their old friends, Gregg said. Attendees are confirmed coming from Florida, North Carolina, California and other places across the country.
Gregg said hopefully this can be a tradition that goes on for years to come.
“This is the summer event to be attending, cause where else are you going to get all these people together at one time,” he said.
He said growing up in Morgantown, people develop a strong bond with kids all over town.
“I’m not sure you find those kinds of friendships anywhere else that you develop here in Morgantown,” he said.
