FB: Empire 8

[fisheralum91]

those interested must have extra time on their hands and an ability to search out and root out secret smiters.  Current members of E8 nation preferred.

[AUPepBand]

This all sounds good....but Pep will take the offensive and attempt to applaud fellow members of the E8Nation more regularly.

On a more serious note, while Pep knew she was in her last days, Mom Pep, after a long illness, passed away at 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2007 at home with her loving husband/caregiver at her side. Pep received word an hour later while building in Florida. Pep has peace knowing she has a mansion in heaven, and that Pep had some precious hours with her recently in the hospital. 'Twas the same despicable disease that took Coach Butterfield... if one can determine the cause of Alzheimers, one will have done humanity a very fine service indeed.

As it turned out, the 30 college students Pep accompanied to Florida were a real source of strength and encouragement in a difficult time. Laughter eased the pain and was most plentiful. +K to the E8 Nation.

[superman57]

pep on behalf of all of the E8nation i send our deepest sympathies

[Jonny Utah]

Very sorry to hear about your loss Pep.......

[PBR...]

very sorry about your loss pep....

[AUPepBand]

Thanks to all...Mom was an incredible lady. She was an Alfred football fan, always seated next to Dad until later years. Her dad was the "Voice of Merrill Field," announcer and Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Fred Palmer. Her nearly 30 years as a secretary at AU, mostly in the Student Affairs Division, gave her familiarity with Alfred's football players.

Back in the early '70s, in a scrimmage at RIT one warm early September day, she was seated on the grass on the sidelines around the 20 yard line (RIT's field, I believe, had no bleachers) when AU's Bob Young caught a long pass and was shoved out of bounds. Pep was at the other end with Dad, who said, "I hope that's not your mother" as a crowd surrounded someone who appeared to have been hurt. Sure enough, it was Mom, who was a bit dizzy and was taken by ambulance (with Pep along for the ride) to the hospital for observation. She said that she couldn't have thought of a nicer guy by whom to be struck. Upon her retirement in 1990, she was given an AU football helmet and jersey.

[JQV]

So sorry for your loss Pep.  Glad to hear you were amongst friends when you received such difficult news.

[Tags]

Sorry for your loss Pep - Was hoping for better news when coming back to catch up on some reading.

Hang in there.


I hope everyone is well ... even PG

[realistic]

Pep - Sorry to hear of your loss.  You are in all our thoughts.

[Sir Spiedie]

Condolences to Pep from Spiedie.

[fisheralum91]

wow-sorry pep!

[AUPepBand]

How about some good news?

Pep has just learned that Julio Fuentes, the Alfred tailback who suffered a severe neck injury in the Saxons 2006 opener against Thiel, has returned to his home in Olean following an extended stay at the Shepherd Clinic in Atlanta, GA. He is now zipping around in his power wheelchair and, word is, he now is getting some feeling in his toes!

Julio, a criminal justice studies major, will be returning to the Alfred campus in the fall with plans to serve as a student assistant football coach. Hurrah for Julio!

[JQV]

How about some good news?

Pep has just learned that Julio Fuentes, the Alfred tailback who suffered a severe neck injury in the Saxons 2006 opener against Thiel, has returned to his home in Olean following an extended stay at the Shepherd Clinic in Atlanta, GA. He is now zipping around in his power wheelchair and, word is, he now is getting some feeling in his toes!

Julio, a criminal justice studies major, will be returning to the Alfred campus in the fall with plans to serve as a student assistant football coach. Hurrah for Julio!

That is great news Pep.  Any word on his long term prognosis?  I read recently the hoop player from Cornell who suffered a similar injury at practice last season (and spent time at the same center in Atlanta) is back at Cornell, walking around, and considering playing hoop again next winter.

[AUPepBand]

No official word on his prognosis. The feeling in his toes, however, seems to me to be a good indication that there continues to be progress.

[Sir Spiedie]

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the pool ...
http://www.alfred.edu/virtual_tour/webcam.html