Home » PICTORIAL: Florida Tech Homecoming A Great Experience

PICTORIAL: Florida Tech Homecoming A Great Experience

By  //  October 31, 2014

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HONORED AT GALA

Craig Brotchie, U.S. Air Force Ret., with his wife and the weekend’s honoree Ann E. Dunwoody, US Army Ret., and Sara and Tony Catanese, FIT President and CEO during Florida Tech’s 2014 Homecoming Game and festivities. (Nancy Lundell image)
Craig Brotchie, U.S. Air Force Ret., with his wife and the weekend’s honoree Ann E. Dunwoody, US Army Ret., and Sara and Tony Catanese, FIT President and CEO during Florida Tech’s 2014 Homecoming Game and festivities. (Nancy Lundell image)

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STORY & IMAGES BY NANCY LUNDELL

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – For many returning alumni, Florida Tech Football, now only in its second year, was a totally new experience.

Wes and Rachael Sumner with children Jonah and Sarah Grace during Florida Tech’s 2014 Homecoming Game and festivities. (Nancy Lundell image)
Wes and Rachael Sumner with children Jonah and Sarah Grace during Florida Tech’s 2014 Homecoming Game and festivities. (Nancy Lundell image)

On Saturday morning, many tailgated in campus parking lots, while VIPs and weekend honorees were guests at a catered brunch around the pool.

Then everyone headed for the nearby Palm Bay High School football field, which FIT’s Panthers share with the Palm Bay Pirates.

Some arriving on foot, others aboard buses and campus trollies, they poured into the stadium to settle in for what turned out to be a big win for the Panthers: 44-9 over the Mississippi College Choctaws.

Tech kicker Brion Ashley’s uncle, also named Brian Ashley, became the first winner of “The Football Punt-Pass-Kick Contest,” sponsored by Shay Rowe of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi Melbourne, to take home an all new, four-door, 2015 Audi A-3, MSRP $29,900.

When Brian Ashley, a native of Orlando and the uncle of Florida Tech punter/kicker Brion Ashley, made his throw to the 17-yard line, everyone in the stadium knew he had a chance. With a brand new 2015 Audi A3, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne, on the line, Ashley lined up to attempt a 27-yard field goal. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
When Brian Ashley, a native of Orlando and the uncle of Florida Tech punter/kicker Brion Ashley, made his throw to the 17-yard line, everyone in the stadium knew he had a chance. With a brand new 2015 Audi A3, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne, on the line, Ashley lined up to attempt a 27-yard field goal. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

Ashley signed up for the drawing at the game and he was lucky enough to have his name drawn at random.

After almost two seasons without a winner, the challenge turned out to be a piece of cake for Ashley, who has no football background.

Later that day at the homecoming gala, also sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi Melbourne, all of the alumni and guests were talking about Brian Ashley and the A3 challenge.

ALUMNI HONORED AT GALA INCLUDED:

• Ann E. Dunwoody, U.S. Army, Ret. Received the Jerome P. Keuper Distinguished Alumni Award. Dunwoody, who received her M.S. degree from Florida Tech in 1988 via the school’s distance learning program, is the U. S. Army’s first female four star general.
• Bill Johnson, ‘76, received the College of Aeronautics Skurla Award.
• Alan Prestwood, ’73, ’80 MBA, won the Nathan Bisk, College of Business Outstanding Alumnus Award
• David Mazurek, ’82, ’84 M.S., was presented the College of Engineering Outstanding Alumnus Award.
• Jim Taylor, ’89, was presented the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts Outstanding Alumnus Award.
• Tracey L. Bailey, ’88, ’95 M. S,. received the College of Science’s Outstanding Alumnus

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NANCY & DRAKE LUNDELL have joined with Maverick Multimedia’s SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and covers the social, cultural and artistic scene in Brevard County. Nancy and Drake Lundell cover the social, cultural and artistic scene in Brevard County for Maverick Multimedia’s SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine.  Nancy is also a Realtor with Prudential Sterling Properties of Indian Harbour Beach and Drake, who is also a licensed real estate sales associate, serves as her marketing manager. 

To reach Nancy and Drake call 321-474-3890 or e-mail Nancysellshomes4u@gmail.com