Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
When alumni return to campus they are filled with memories from their time in Marietta. They also are able to take in and appreciate the changes that have occurred on the campus since their time in Marietta. However, even recent alum may not be able to recognize aspects of the campus. As Marietta College has undergone a makeover in various areas over the past few years.
A current makeover is occurring with the softball field. The Marietta Softball Field began renovation this summer and will be finished before the prospect camp later this September. The renovations include a new full turf field, a new scoreboard, added bleachers, walkways, press boxes, and lights. This project was made possible through donations to the softball program’s campaign. This renovation will help improve recruitment and retention of women’s athletes and honor women’s athletics as a whole.
In addition, to the softball field, the Legacy Library is taking a shift. The first floor of the library is being remodeled into the Milone Center for Academic and Career Success. This comes as a result of the generous donation from Pioneer Parents Mike and Julie Milone. This new area will act as a way to achieve positive career outcomes through new interview rooms to help students prepare and hold career interviews.
Not all changes are physical, as some changes occur in personnel. Marietta Athletics have recently made changes to their coaching core. In April, it was announced that Coach Jon VanderWal had accepted the head coach position at Trine University (NCAA III). Over the past 18 years his dedication to the Pioneers helped the team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances, including their first final four.
As a result, the Pioneers elected Andy Bucheit to become the program’s 16th head coach in history. Bucheit was a Pioneer from 2009-2013 as a recruiting coordinator under VanderWal. Most recently, Bucheit was the head coach of Heidelberg University. He won the OAC Coach of the Year in 2021 and helped the team to qualify for the OAC tournament for the past eleven seasons.
Another major coaching change occurred when Tom Kaufman was named as head coach as Coach Andy Waddle moved onto Valparaiso (NCAA FCS). Kaufman most recently coached high school football taking Gilmour Academy to 21-5 in two seasons. However, he has college experience most recently as an assistant coach for Kent State from 2018-2021.
Some assistant coaches have been welcomed into the Pioneer Family. Bucheit brought Keandre Graves to Marietta as one of his assistant coaches with former Kent State Basketball player Jake Snyder joining the staff as the other assistant. Kody Kibler has joined the Women’s Soccer coaching staff. Lincoln Hewett joins the baseball team as an assistant coach. Lacrosse hired new assistant coaches with Lola Duff and Pio alum Nathan Grover joining each program respectively. Another alum joins the coaching staff with Addison Painter joining the Cross Country and Track & Field staff.
Some other changes that have occurred in recent years have been the remodeling of the TV and radio studios in the McKinney Media Cetner, the remodeling of the new Barbara Diggs & Lyles House, and the opening of the Big Blue Thrift shop. However, not all changes are additions. Marietta College have worked on consolidating as they have closed the Pioneer House and Marietta Hall in recent years.
The world is always changing, and it is futile to stop it. The campus will continue to change throughout the years. As many more projects are on the way in the coming semesters. The upgrades to the Marietta College campus are all made possible by the support of the Long Blue Line.
