About 60 alumni attended a reunion hosted by Wayne State during a home track meet.
Wayne State College Athletics and the Wayne State Foundation welcomed approximately 60 track and field and cross country alumni back to campus March 27-28 as part of a special reunion held during the annual Wildcat Outdoor Classic track meet.
The event brought together former student athletes from multiple decades, creating an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate shared experiences, and witness the continued growth of the college’s track and field and cross country programs.
Alumni in attendance ranged from graduates of the 1970s to recent alumni, highlighting the strong, lasting connections formed through Wayne State’s track and field and cross country traditions. The reunion was scheduled alongside the Wildcat Outdoor Classic to allow returning alumni to engage with current student athletes, coaches, and campus facilities.
“One of the things we’re trying to do is bring back our alumni as often as we can,” said Megan Finn, associate athletic director for external affairs. “Hosting this during one of our major events is a great way to reconnect them not only with each other, but also with what our current students are doing. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the incredible improvements we’ve made to campus and our facilities.”
Among those returning was Dr. Ron Holt, a 1989 graduate and former 400-meter and 4x400 relay runner, who emphasized the importance of staying connected to Wayne State.
“I think it’s really important to give back to the college, and I wanted to see what all of my former trackmates are doing now,” Holt said. “For anyone who hasn’t been back in a while, you won’t even recognize the college. There’s been such an emphasis on giving students great facilities to excel and be their best.”
Holt also reflected on the impact of the college’s athletic facility improvements, including his involvement in the Wildcat Dome project.
“These facilities give students opportunities we didn’t have,” said Holt. “Now they have access to state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor training spaces that allow them to truly reach their potential. It’s making a difference not just for Wayne State students, but for visiting athletes as well.”
The reunion also drew strong participation from more recent graduates, including Sophie Noecker, a 2021 alumna, who described Wayne as a place that continues to feel like home.
“This town means so much to me – it’s home,” Noecker said. “Everyone here is like family. I’m here to support and help keep things moving forward. The improvements are phenomenal and look amazing. I’m so glad to see the investment in athletics.”
Noecker added that reconnecting with fellow alumni across generations was a highlight of the day.
“It’s great to see people from so many different years all together,” she said. “I can walk around and talk to anyone. It really feels like family.”
The event concluded with an alumni gathering after the track meet, allowing time for attendees to reconnect and celebrate the continued success of the program.
“This is really about celebrating where these alumni have been and where the program is going,” Finn said. “It’s exciting to see so many generations come together and stay connected to Wayne State.”