Washington Nationals host Radford University alumni

More than 500 Radford University alumni treated themselves to a ball game on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, as they attended Radford University Day at Nationals Park. The event, which featured the Washington Nationals taking on the San Francisco Giants, marked the fourth consecutive year that the Nationals have hosted Highlander alumni.

The celebration began prior to the scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch as alumni gathered for a pre-game social at Willie’s Brew & Que. “We had over 150 alumni and friends attend the social, including Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill,” said Frank West, Radford University coordinator for alumni engagement.

Once the Radford University alumni – many dressed in Radford red, or, in that evening’s case, Nationals red – made their way to Nationals Park for the game, they were treated to discounted ticket prices as well as the opportunity to go onto the field prior to the game. Due to the number of Radford University alumni attending the game, the Nationals presented a “Spirit Award” to President Hemphill, Dr. Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Mike DeFilippo ’90, Rita DeFilippo ‘90, Greg Humble ’01 and his wife Sarah Humble. Both Mike and Greg serve on the Radford University Alumni Association Board.

“Events such as these are an important way for the University to connect with its alumni, as well as for the alumni to connect, or re-connect, with one another,” said West. “It is also a wonderful recruiting tool for the Office of Alumni Relations.” More than 50 of those alumni in attendance were 2017 graduates.

By the end of the evening, the Nationals were able to put away the Giants with a 3-1 victory, increasing their lead in the National League East to 13 ½ games. As for the 500-plus Radford University alumni in attendance, they didn’t care if they ever got back from the ole ball game.

To see more pictures from the event, please visit the Office of Alumni Relations' photo gallery.

Aug 24, 2017
Jeremy Norman
540-831-5491
jnorman9@radford.edu