Heidelberg University’s softball team didn’t get the result they were hoping for in Saturday’s Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament. But for five Student Prince graduating students, the day ended in a way they will never forget
After spending the day competing at Mount Union University in Alliance, the team arrived back on campus just after 10 p.m. Saturday night. The late return meant that five graduating seniors and graduate students had missed Commencement earlier that morning.
What they didn’t know was that a ceremony of their own was waiting for them at Frann’s Fieldhouse.
A gritty tournament run
The No. 4 seed Student Princes battled through the OAC Tournament with determination, opening with a strong 7–2 semifinal win over No. 2 seed Muskingum. Heidelberg ultimately fell to No. 6 seed Capital, 7–2, in the championship game, finishing the season at 28–15.
(See full tournament recap here.)
Unexpected ceremony
The idea for a private celebration began Friday night during a Board of Trustees dinner, when Athletic Director Greg Cooper floated the idea of honoring the softball graduates who would miss Commencement. The concept quickly gained momentum.
President Rob Huntington noted that while Heidelberg had never held a nighttime Commencement ceremony, it wasn’t without precedent. In 2010, the university held a special ceremony for Student Prince baseball players at Peaceful Valley under similar circumstances.
This time, the stage would be set -- literally -- at Frann’s Fieldhouse.
Still in uniform after a long day of competition, student-athletes Ellie Tressler, Lacey Fickes, Carmen Moore, Caitlyn Newlen and Paige Collins walked into the fieldhouse to find their families waiting — caps, gowns, and all. Joining them was graduating senior Ty Poorman, who had traveled to support the team and girlfriend Ellie.
“They were greeted by a tiny but cheering crowd,” said Ashley Helmstetter, Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, Alumni, and College Relations.
Pomp and circumstance, reimagined
With the Commencement stage still in place, members of Heidelberg’s Strategic Leadership Team and Registrar Mary Milazzo quickly re-created the ceremony, with the rest of the Student Prince softball team waiting in the wings to cheer on their teammate.
Greg cued the music as the student-athletes processed across the stage.
Provost Courtney DeMayo Pugno read each graduate’s name and honors.
Dean of Student Affairs Chris Abrams and Chief Human Resources and Compliance Officer Victoria Black helped robe the graduate students and presented honors medals to undergraduate award recipients.
Rob and Mary presented their diplomas.
VP Ashley Helmstetter presented each graduate with a white rose.
The impromptu ceremony concluded just before midnight.
It was a long day, but for these new graduates and their families, it became one of the most meaningful moments of their Heidelberg experience, and a memory they will carry with them far beyond Frann’s Fieldhouse.