Alumni Update from Warner Johnson

Kentucky! Kentucky! Kentucky!

OK, maybe the sequel didn’t end up like we’d hoped, but the young men of our Colonials men’s basketball team still fought to the end. I mean, com’on, they were playing against seven or eight future NBA players in one of college basketball’s most dynamic arenas. Thanks, guys. You made us proud.

A good contingency of alumni, students, and friends made the trip to Lexington to show their support for the Colonials. We had 35 in all for the bus ride down for the big game, with plenty of food, drink, and pixie sticks for all. (After the stick of straight sugar, I don’t think anyone on the bus slept.) Event host Matt Millet, RMU’s director of university sponsorships and athletic fund-raising, was also kind enough to bring along some videos for us to watch (“Hoosiers”, “Semi Pro”, and “Three Amigos”). Thanks, Matt!

It was another great alumni trip. We had a gentleman who hadn’t been back to campus since 1968, an 87-year-old alumna who came with her daughter, several couples, and even a few alums who bought their kids. We even had the opportunity to tour the Keeneland Horse Racing Track and the Town Branch Distillery.

Also this past weekend we celebrated the induction of longtime head football coach Joe Walton into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame. Former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann served as the evening’s emcee, and tons of Coach Walton’s former players, coaches, and teammates came to honor the coach, too. Unfortunately on Saturday the Colonials football team fell short to Sacred Heart and failed to clinch another NEC Championship for the coach in his last season at the helm. But it was still a great season, and we’re thankful for Coach Walton and everything he’s done to build such a successful program.

I hope everyone’s getting excited about the upcoming holidays. Hopefully we’ll get to see you at an RMU alumni event soon!

Warner Johnson
Director, Alumni Relations