Alumni Reunion 2024 wasn't without its remembrances of alumni lost.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, a long-running Hawks Athletics tradition continued with the annual Heinz Ahlmeyer, Jr., game, as the Men's Soccer team partnered with the Office of Veteran and Military Services to raise funds for military-affiliated New Paltz students.
Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. ’66 (Bachelor of Arts) was a former soccer star killed in Vietnam less than one year after graduating from the University. During the game, donations were collected to add to the Heinz Ahlmeyer, Jr. Emergency Scholarship for Veterans and Returning Military, which was first established in 2017 to provide support to those whose ability to continue at SUNY New Paltz is threatened by changed financial circumstances.
Pre-game activities included a student performance of the National Anthem and a formal color guard ceremony.
The action on the field rose to the occasion. A rising Men's Soccer team toppled the conference one-seed, previously undefeated Buffalo State, 2-0.
"It was really nice to build up a big crowd and we just love playing in front of all that energy," said Defender Tim Kane '24 (Finance) '25g (Business Administration). "They really gave us that extra boost that we needed to get us those two goals by them. But yeah, big rebound win off an undefeated Buffalo State team."
With the victory, the Hawks moved to 5-1-1 in SUNY Athletic Conference play, on track to earn a spot in the conference championship tournament when it begins on Nov. 2.
For full game-day coverage, read more here. For more coverage of Alumni Reunion 2024, including photos and videos, click here.
