The Epsilon Pi Summer Golf Outing was a tremendous success on a beautiful July day with nearly 90 EPs from seven decades. We were especially honored to have Jess Jackal (62'), Bill 'Yam' Hladio (64'), and Ron 'Rondo' George (66') as our most senior members.
Our 2024 champions are Derek Johncour, Andrew Coffee, Logan Wick, and Anthony Tambellini who finished at an impressive -14 on a challenging course. We had a total of 13 teams post -6 or better.
Ted Randall was closest to the pin on #5 and had the long drive on #8. Logan Wick was Closet to the pin on #13 and the long putt on #18 going to Brian Lang and no one won the inaugural putting contest. Bill Burk won the highly coveted bourbon/whiskey basket with Jerry Aubel taking home the wine basket.
Special thanks to George Rogers- UC Graphics, who kindly donated the Hole Sponsorship signs and to the following Hole Sponsors: Jeffrey "Llewellyn" Burd, "Georgiapapulus" Tuck, Chris DeMaio, Jeff Mateer, John Ellis, Bob Miller, Nate Herring, Scott Tovissi, "Shengano Tonga" Laskey, Jerry Aubel, Jeff Cass, Kris Lightcap, Jayme Russo (x3!!!), Mike Bartoo, Drew McCandless, and Kirk Fennell. And generous brothers donated prizes: Todd Powless, John Ellis, Grove City College, and Jerry Aubel. Gracias to Mike Bartoo for providing the complimentary cigars.
Dave Felt and Jeff Seger made it a memorable day by selling tickets, taking pictures, running the putting contest, getting things done.
EP 105th Homecoming Weekend of October 12th
Register now for the EP 105th Homecoming events. GCC will process all registrations and payments through the GCC Homecoming site for (Friday) Golf, Saturday Lunch (free to all) and Saturday night dinner at the DoubleTree Hilton in Cranberry. We have a block of rooms at a special rate of $139 at this link.
The EPs will have the largest Homecoming tent to serve meals to 200+ EP alumni, friends, and families. Last year EPs from eight decades (1950's to 2020's) were represented! Meanwhile, the Wolverines (led by several EPs) will be taking on Carnegie Mellon out on Thorn Field beginning at 2 p.m.
Saturday evening will feature our traditional Homecoming Dinner at the Doubletree Hotel in Cranberry. President McNulty will stop by to provide an update on GCC activities. Dinner cost for alumni (2023 and earlier) is only $50 per person due to generous EPAA sponsors, who expect to see a big turnout.
We're looking for EP Alumni to speak at the dinner or walk or ride in convertibles with an EP banner in the Homecoming Parade.
Also, order an EP quarter-zip shirt for pick up at the Homecoming Tent through the GCC registration process.
2024 Navy Blue & Gold ($500+) Sponsors: Jerry Aubel, Jeffrey Lewellen Burd, Jack Kopnisky, Paul Lange, Mickey Marburger, Drew McCandless, Bob Miller, Jim Milligan, Edward Randall, and Mark Zimmerman.
2024 Octagon-Level ($100+) Sponsors: David Auker, Ed Berti, David Brown, Jeff Cass, Eric Christian, Chris DeMaio, Philip Daley, David Felt, James Arlington Foster, Gary Glew, Nathan Herring, Sam Hopper, Richard Horton, Brian Lants, Jeffrey Shengano-Tonga Laskey, Dale Lattanzio, Kris Lightcap, Marcus Magister, Jeff Mateer, Jon McIntyre, Lyle Mook, Dane Mossgrove, Greg Pierce, Randy Raidel, Charles Rawson, Brian Rizzo, Jayme Russo, Tim Lazatheohanes Saxton, John Senkowitz, Curt E. Siverling, Mark Smith, Scott Tovissi, Thomas Georgiapapulus Tuchnowski, Curtis Blow Tutak, Bob Veitch, Bruce "Granny Rag" Vetter, and Mike Zellers.
EP Website is Updated: The EP website is dedicated to connecting EP alumni from around the world to our strong EP heritage and providing new opportunities for active engagement.
Fieldhouse: Main Lobby & Hall of Fame Campaign
EP Alumni have donated or pledged $665K to raise $1.25 million to name the Main Lobby and Varsity Sports Hall of Fame in honor of Epsilon Pi and name the Football Locker Room in honor of Coach Chris Smith (EP, 1972). See the project in this video and a synopsis here.
Online donations can be made on the EP giving page through selecting ‘Athletic Fieldhouse Building Fund – Lower Campus’.
Cumulative gifts of $5K and larger will be recognized on a large donor recognition plaque in the lobby.
See your GeDUNK magazine for "Honoring a Legacy" about lasting impact that EPs have on the GCC Football Program. Follow this link to the GeDUNK and look to page 6.
Please contact fellow EP Jason Burtt of the GCC Development Office 412-716-1822 or the EP Alumni below with any questions:
617-549-3829
412-848-0666
704-915-9824
Featured Alumni: Major General Kenneth Merchant
Merch was born in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania and moved with his family to Scott Township when he was 8. There, he became the pride of Chartiers Valley High school playing football and hockey.
He was pursued by Pitt and Penn State to play football, but a knee injury altered his course and his doctor, Don “Doc” MacMillan (‘32), suggested Grove City College and sent Merch’s game film to Coach Joe Kopnisky. Merch soon became a Wolverine and he was a four-year letterman on the football team and coached and played on the EP Interfraternity softball team.
Attending Grove City forever impacted the course of his life, starting when he first looked at the pictures in the 1976 Crimson orientation Guide. When he saw Sue Bell’s picture it was love at first sight. In Humanities class freshman year, he told a group of us he was going to marry her. It took until sophomore year and the help of Mary Kay Distransky (’80) and Joe Mrocheck (‘81) to bring them together. Sue and Merch have been married for 44 years and enjoy their lives with daughter, Tara, son in law, Pat, and granddaughter, Parker.
Merch played middle guard on the football team that was made up of mostly EPs and Betas. He became close with Jack Kopnisky (’78), Gary Schaff (’78) and Mike Tappe (’78). They were great guys, and he admired how tight they were. On the way to get tacos at Pizza House, Fuzzy Selva (’80), Ray Weikel (’80) and Merch were walking past the EP house and the EPs on the front porch invited them in for a beverage and the rest is history. Merch also has memories of the EPs having the best parties. So, you guessed it, he became an EP.
Ken put his mark in many ways on the fraternity especially when the coveted Hard-Ass chain and Big & Bad Man’s Jacket were handed down to him by Brad Cornibe (’78) and Ross Baker (’78).
Dave Brown (’82) best describes Merch this way, “Hard as nails on the outside – you’re glad he is on your side. Softest heart on the inside – simply one of the best”. This is from a brother who, until a few years ago, was afraid to look at a picture of Merch, let alone see him face to face.
Merch has many favorite memories of EP life but, his favorite was when we would circle up and sing Loving Cup after a party. He also fondly recalls his time on the heater in the back of the frat meetings where he often shared his wisdom with the younger guys.
Please send a note to EpsilonPiAlumni@gmail.com to provide content, including news, featured alumni, obituaries, and congratulations.
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