1968-1980 Class Athletes Reunion
August 16, 2008

            Memories will be rekindled and friendships will be renewed in abundance when more than 100 former Bluefield State College basketball and football players, classes of 1968-1980, gather at the Bluefield City Recreation Center on Stadium Drive, August 16.  The informal get-together will begin at noon and continue throughout the afternoon, according to Ted Gillespie, a former BSC football assistant coach.

            “A few years ago, (former BSC basketball coach) Tony Mandeville invited several of his players to a reception in Princeton and the event was well attended,” Gillespie said.  “The ex-players wanted to continue getting together from time to time.  We had a tightly knit group in athletics back then, and several of the basketball players also played football.  That’s how the idea grew to include football players, too.”

            Former players began contacting their teammates, Gillespie added, and the event has grown to now include more than 100 onetime Big Blues who have expressed plans to attend.  “The reunion has ‘mushroomed’ because guys are looking forward to greeting teammates they haven’t seen for many years,” he continued.

            There will be no formal program.  “It’s more of a ‘tailgate’ type of an event,” Gillespie said, and we several formal coaches, including Tony Mandeville and Tony Colobro plan to attend.”

            Additional information can be obtained by contacting Kenny Mandeville (304-327-4067) at Bluefield State College.

Reunion Photos