Homecoming Football Game Attracts Students, Alumni; Raises Money for Hurricane Relief
Lexy Underhill
It was a jam-packed Homecoming crowd this weekend, Saturday, October 14, as the football team competed with a larger crowd than usual. Many alumni and current students gathered in the stands to cheer on the Spartans at the Carl W. Burt Memorial Field as they took on Rose-Hulman for Homecoming 2017.
Head Coach Nathan Jensen had a great outlook before the game. “Hopefully, we will get a victory,” he said. “Manchester football is hoping for a win this year, since taking a tough loss last year.” This was not the case, however, as Manchester took a tough loss of 44-13.
Manchester scored their first touchdown in the second quarter of the game while Rose-Hulman took the lead from the start, making the score 30-6. “I think we could have executed much better,” said first-year player Brian Sabido.
Support from the MU softball team was also in house. The girls helped with concession stands as well as being ball keepers on the sidelines. “I enjoyed helping out on campus and being able to be a part of the activities during Homecoming,” said first-year Alexis Pendleton.
Despite the tough loss, many other special events took place on and off Burt Field. During halftime, the M Association Class of 2017 Hall of Fame inductees and Claude Wolfe, Coach of the Year, were recognized.
MU elementary education seniors partnered with Anne Clark's sixth graders at Manchester Intermediate School to raise money for the families that were affected by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. The school has raised nearly $4,000 and the MU community gave back and raised nearly $842 for the hurricane relief cause.
The football team’s loss didn’t stop the other Homecoming activities from going on. “Homecoming was a great experience, even though we lost, this weekend it was still a great time to hang out and be with friends,” said first-year Alex Whittig.
Manchester University will play Bluffton University on Burt Field Saturday, October 21, with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.