Fairmont State University is ready to welcome back alumni for Homecoming Weekend.
Students and staff will kick off festivities Thursday, September 28, as part of the first homecoming since the COIVD-19 pandemic to be free of any social restrictions. Alumni and students will gather in Downtown Fairmont for the traditional homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Thursday, which will be followed by the student and alumni bonfire at the Fairmont State Tennis Court Parking Lot. Fairmont State Alumni Association Board Member Nick Fantasia stated that this will be the start of several activities that will return as part of homecoming.
“There are a lot of activities that, because of COVID, are coming back for the first time,” Fantasia said. “So, this new group of young men and women that are on campus are starting to get a taste of the Fairmont State of old.”
Alumni ceremonies will take place on Friday with the Alumni Association Awards Banquet, which will take place at the Falcon Center. This will include the induction of the 2023 Class of the Fairmont State Athletics Hall of Fame at 6 p.m., with former baseball player Billy Johnson, football player Gordon Moon, volleyball player Mackenzie Harrison, and basketball player DeWayne Richardson among the inductees. There will also be recognition of longtime psychologist Dr. Ronald Pearse with the Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the ceremonies.
“Friday festivities kick off at lunchtime with the Alumni Association Awards Banquet, and the award winners along with the Ameritus Club members will be inducted,” Fantasia said.
Athletic events as part of Fairmont State University’s Homecoming Weekend will begin on Saturday. The traditional alumni swim meet will begin at 10 a.m. at the Feaster Center Pool ahead of the Fighting Falcons football game against Post University. Tailgates will be hosted by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, the Fairmont State University College of Business and Aviation, and the Athletics Department as a tribute to the 1988 Fighting Falcon Football Team, 30 years after their WVIAC Championship. Homecoming will conclude with the Fairmont State Soccer Team taking on West Virginia State.
“The tailgate functions will start taking place around 11 a.m., with kickoff at 2 p.m.” Fantasia said. “After gameday Saturday, Homecoming will wrap up at Duvall-Rosier Field with soccer on Sunday.”
Several notable alumni will also be recognized outside of the Fairmont State Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Longtime Marion County school principal Vicki Huffman will be recognized by the Fairmont State Alumni Association, along with longtime Fairmont State Administrator Amie Fazalare. Fairmont State Board of Governors member Kevin Rodgers will also be honored, along with State Senator Ryan Weld. NFL Cornerback CJ Goodwin will be honored as a Young Alumni Award winner, as will Steptoe and Johnson attorney Mitch Moore and Marion County educator Victoria Stiles. These will be among several ways Fairmont State University will recognize alumni as part of its homecoming weekend.
“Outstanding alumni (like) Amie Fazalare, who’s been involved in the campus community for nearly two decades, Brian Abraham, who is the Governor’s Chief of Staff (will be recognized), and Senator Ryan Weld,” said Fantasia on who will be recognized during alumni ceremonies.