10/13/2006

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO BREAK GROUND ON $600,000 ADDITION TO CAMPUS HOME

     SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University and its alumni association will break ground at 9 a.m. Oct. 21, prior to the annual homecoming parade, for a 2,600-square-foot, $600,000 addition to the Russell Wright Alumni House as a project designed to provide additional meeting and conference space.

     The original building, named for major SRU benefactor, the late Dr. Russell Wright, a member of the class of 1923, opened in 1998 and offers a large reception area, Memorabilia Room and small meeting room in addition to alumni association offices. The new addition will turn the facility into a state-of-the-art conference center and expand much-needed meeting space on campus. It will provide space for commemorating the university’s history and for on-campus classes for alumni.

     The addition has received approval from the SRU council of trustees as well as the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of governors.

     Michael Saraka, association director, reports nearly all of the needed $600,000 has been raised in a special campaign conducted by the association. While the groundbreaking will take place Oct. 21, actual construction is slated for spring with completion expected by late fall 2007.

     Joining in the groundbreaking will be past association presidents led by Eric Holmes, current president and member of the SRU class of 1993.

     Immediately following the ceremony, participants will join the annual 10 a.m. homecoming parade which begins at the Giant Eagle Parking Lot and winds through downtown Slippery Rock before disbanding on campus. More than 55 floats, marching bands, walking groups and fire trucks are expected to participate in the event with Bob

DiSpirito, retired SRU football coach, as grand marshal. DiSpirito coached 15 seasons, including an unprecedented three straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships from 1972-74. His teams compiled a 79-60-3 record, a winning percentage of 57 percent, and also earned a pair of NCAA bowl appearances. He retired from SRU in 1998.

     Prior to the 2 p.m. football game in which SRU takes on Lock Haven in N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, the association will sponsor a hospitality tent near the stadium where alumni can gather for food, entertainment and give-aways as part of the Rocktoberfest themed event. Tent admission will be payable at the gate.

     A 6 p.m. Oct. 20 pre-homecoming pep rally, including the SRU Marching Band, cheerleaders, football team members, homecoming king and queen, bonfire and fireworks, as well as a concert featuring the Poverty Neck Hillbillies, with opening act The Stickers, will be staged on Old Thompson Field (inside Morrow Field House in the event of rain).

      In addition, the SRU Alumni Association is sponsoring its “Annual Fall Classic Slippery Rock Golf Outing” at Stonewall Golf Club, Ellwood City. The shotgun start, already set with nearly 90, four-person teams, is open at 10 a.m. Proceeds will help fund the association’s student scholarship funds and the alumni house expansion. Call 724-738-2018 for details.

PN, PGN, WPN, PR

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