Bluefield College alumni and friends are invited to a series of summer reunions across the Commonwealth of Virginia in July and August, including five traditional BC @ the Ballpark events and two additional regional alumni chapter gatherings.
Centered around one of America’s greatest pastimes, the BC @ the Ballpark events will reunite Bluefield College alumni and friends at minor league baseball venues in Bluefield (July 20), Norfolk (July 24), Richmond (July 25), Pulaski (August 1) and Salem (August 8), while the alumni chapter gatherings will join alumni and friends in Central Virginia (July 15) and the New River Valley (July 22).
Central Virginia Alumni Reunion: July 15
The Central Virginia alumni gathering will kick off the summer reunions, Saturday, July 15 at noon at the home of alumna Peggy Emert Bickford (’71) and her husband, Steve, an honorary alumnus (1056 C.G. Woodson Road, New Canton, VA). For nearly 30 years, BC grads gathered at the home of alumni Bobby (’58) and Joyce Mullikin (’58) Gentry in Charlottesville for the Central Virginia reunion. Now, the Gentrys have passed the torch to the Bickfords, who will host the event.
“We decided to begin hosting this gathering out of respect for the tradition and wanting to see the event continue and because of the love we have for Bluefield College and our fellow alumni,” said Peggy Bickford. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves in a very casual atmosphere. We are looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, sharing memories of days spent at BC, and continuing the tradition established by Mr. and Mrs. Gentry 30 years ago.”
The cost for the Central Virginia reunion is $8 per person and free to children 12 and under and will include a meal, fellowship, a short tour of a 1926 Rosenwald Schoolhouse on the Bickford property, and an update on Bluefield College.
BC @ the Ballpark in Bluefield: July 20
The Bluefield BC @ the Ballpark reunion will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 at Bowen Field (2003 Stadium Drive, Bluefield, VA) where the Bluefield Blue Jays, a rookie-league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, will take on the Kingsport Mets. Reserved seats in a special BC Alumni Zone inside the Coppinger Room, along with a catered meal, are just $5 per person. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the stadium the night of the game. Register by July 14 to secure your seats.
New River Valley Alumni Reunion: July 22
Alumni from the New River Valley are invited to a potluck reunion at the home of Fran Webb Louthan (’60) and her husband, Dick, on Claytor Lake (7154 Island View Way, Dublin, VA). In addition to a potluck meal and plenty of fellowship, the July 22 gathering will serve as the kickoff event for the recently revived BC New River Valley Regional Alumni Chapter. Guests are asked to bring a side dish to go with hot dogs, which will be provided. Joining alumni for the event will be parents of current BC students, trustees and other friends.
BC @ the Ballpark in Norfolk: July 24
The Greater Norfolk BC @ the Ballpark reunion will begin at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, July 24 at Harbor Park (150 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA) where the Norfolk Tides, a Class AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will take on the Scranton Wilkes‑Barre RailRiders. Reserved seats in the BC Alumni Zone are just $10 per person. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the stadium the night of the game. Register by July 14 to secure your seats.
BC @ the Ballpark in Richmond: July 25
The Richmond BC @ the Ballpark reunion will begin at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 and in addition to BC fellowship will feature action between the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and the Harrisburg Senators. Reserved seats in the Bluefield College Alumni Zone at The Diamond (3001 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA) are free to all BC alumni and friends. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the stadium the night of the game. Register by July 14 to secure your seats.
BC @ the Ballpark in Pulaski: August 1
The Pulaski BC @ the Ballpark reunion will begin at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 at Calfee Park (700 S. Washington Avenue, Pulaski, VA), where the Pulaski Yankees, a rookie-league affiliate of the New York Yankees, will take on the Johnson City Cardinals. Reserved seats in the BC Alumni Zone are just $6 per person. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the stadium the night of the game. Register by July 14 to secure your seats.
BC @ the Ballpark in Salam: August 8
The final BC @ the Ballpark gathering will be for alumni and friends from Greater Salem on Tuesday, August 8 at 7:05 p.m. The Salem Red Sox, a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will play the Buies Creek Astros at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium (1008 Texas Street, Salem, VA). Reserved seats in the BC Alumni Zone are just $6 per person. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the stadium the night of the game. Register by July 14 to secure your seats.
For more information or to register for any of the Bluefield College summer alumni reunions, visit www.bluefield.edu/reunions or contact BC’s Josh Grubb, director of alumni relations, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 276.326.4208.