Homecoming 2021

Brothers gather to reconnect and reminisce.

More than 400 Missouri Military Academy alumni, families, faculty and staff reunited on the Academy’s campus for Homecoming. Those attending represented more than 50 different class years, ranging from 1960 to 2021.

The weekend-long celebration commenced on Friday, Sept. 17, with the alumni golf tournament at the Oaks Country Club. Six teams — 25 total players — competed. Team “Weapons of Grass Destruction” took first place with the stellar play of team captain Richard “Buster” Hall Jr. ʼ72, Rick Dehlinger ʼ93, Jeff Brummet ʼ71 and Rick Hart ʼ70.

MMA President and Mrs. Richard V. Geraci hosted a private cocktail party for more than 100 honored guests that afternoon, celebrating the 50th-anniversary reunions of 1970 and 1971 and the honor classes (years ending in 0, 1, 5 and 6) between 1945 and 1981.

A pregame pep rally hosted by the MMA Parents Committee moved on to Colonels Field where fans cheered for the Fighting Colonels soccer team in its 6-1 victory over Canton High School. Halftime highlights included a performance by the national champion Fusileers Drill Team and a presentation of cadets’ respective company banners, which they had designed and constructed. After the game, alumni and guests enjoyed a barbecue on Ewton Terrace. Garrett Stockum ʼ87 surprised everyone in attendance when he dropped to one knee to propose to his now-fiancée, Gina Hoffman.

A battalion review kicked off the day on Saturday, followed by alumni/cadets drilldowns that put the MMA brotherhood to the test. At drilldowns, participants must execute a series of commands in proper form; elimination comes with any error until only one contestant remains. This year’s alumni drilldown winner was John Schuchmann ʼ86; Steve McDavid ʼ97 won the cadet versus alumni drilldown.

After a softball game ended in a 5-4 alumni victory over the cadets at Calvert Baseball Field, guests gathered for a Silver Taps Ceremony. The Stribling bell tolled with the reading of each name of recently passed

Hall of Fame inductees

Alumni-cadet drilldown

MMA community members. The MMA Corps of Cadets stood in tight formation and silent respect as the MMA marching band played Old MMA.

The Alumni Recognition & Donor Awards Banquet capped the evening in Centennial Gymtorium. The banquet honored award winners and Hall of Fame inductees for both COVID-delayed 2020 and for 2021.

Homecoming events on campus closed out on Sunday with the Alumni Farewell Breakfast, after which guests traveled to Busch Stadium to see the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 8-7. The MMA Color Guard presented the colors on the field before the first pitch.

The MMA Color Guard presented the colors on the field at the Sept. 19 St. Louis Cardinals game during Homecoming weekend.

ALUMNI RECOGNITION & DONOR AWARDS

Paul Gillette Outstanding Alumni Award 2020: Rick Dehlinger ’93 2021: Eric Johnson ’70

Eagle Talon Award for Philanthropy 2020: Chris Gentry ’88 2021: Amy and Jim Obenshain ’86

Harold “Chris” Schafer Fellowship Cup 2020: Gregg Center ’91 2021: Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88

MMA Hall of Fame Inductees Gilberto Crombe ’89 for Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Venustiano Reyes ’88 for Arts and Sciences Terry Logue ’72 for Athletics Ron Baran ’60 for Community and Government Service Paul Petit ’85 for Community and Government Service Ralph “Butch” Saner ’71 for Distinguished Military Service

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Saturday, April 23, 2022 • Centennial Gymtorium Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, Missouri

For information, contact Vice President for Advancement Rob Silbaugh at 573-581-1776 Ext. 239 or robert.silbaugh@MissouriMilitaryAcademy.com. MMA

MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY