Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) welcomed alumni and their families, students, faculty and staff to campus for a “Paint The Woods Pomeroy Blue”-themed Homecoming weekend, Oct. 2-4.
Alumni showed their Pomeroy Pride at various sporting events, beginning on Friday at the women’s volleyball game where SMWC swept IU Columbus 25-17, 26-24, 25-20, inside Knoerle Center. Both the women’s and men’s cross-country teams participated in the Nike XC Town Twilight Meet at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course on Friday evening, placing 15th and 12th, respectively.
Before the competitions, students, faculty and staff gathered Friday afternoon in the lower level of Rooney Center to dedicate the Ben Myers Golf Practice Facility. Myers was from the class of 2020 and a member of the two-time USCAA National Champion golf team and personally earned USCAA All-American and Academic All-American honors in 2018-19. He passed away in 2024.
“Today is a special day as we commend the SMWC Golf programs and honor the life and legacy of one of our alumni, Ben Myers, who is looking down on us from heaven and continues to leave a lasting impact at SMWC,” said Brennan Randolph, president of SMWC.
Myers’ sister, Jessica Michael, spoke on behalf of the family about what it means to have Myers honored on campus.
“It means so much to know (Ben) is honored and remembered, not only by us, but by this community he was a part of,” she said. She was joined by Myers’ mother, Denise Titzer, and her husband, Andy, Myers’ father, Mike Myers, and Myers’ brother, Christopher, for the event in the lower level of the Rooney Center.
“This dedication is a lasting tribute to a young man who absolutely loved golf, cherished his time at SMWC, and was proud to be part of a golf team that, to this day, keeps in contact with each other,” Denise Titzer said. “Our family is honored that his memory will continue to inspire future student-athletes to practice and grow in a facility that bears his name. We are deeply grateful that his legacy will continue to be part of the SMWC community he loved so much.”
The space includes a simulator, which players have used for the last two seasons, with a driving range, short game and target practice. The simulator includes cameras to record a player’s golf swing and is loaded with some courses the student-athletes will compete on during the season.
“This space helps our recruitment,” said Kyle Miller, coach of SMWC’s women’s and men’s golf teams. “It also gives the players a place to practice on campus whenever they want, even during winter months.”
Miller and his team also helped raise money for the state-of-the-art facility simulator.
On Saturday, Myers was one of four new inductees into the SMWC Athletic Hall of Fame. The new class inducted at a brunch, sponsored by The Hometown Savings Bank, includes:
• 1997 Softball team
• Sarah Burnham Haltom ’16 – Softball
• Brittney Shaner Rehs ’13 – Women’s Basketball
• Ben Myers ’20 – Men’s Golf (posthumously)
“Athletics has played a role in many of our lives,” said Kevin Lanke, SMWC associate vice president for athletics, before handing out the first award. “Some of our greatest memories have come from our own personal athletic experiences. Helping a team win a championship, making memories on the bus rides and building bonds with teammates that last a lifetime.”
Each inductee’s legacy has helped to transform SMWC Athletics into what it is today.
“SMWC Athletics has certainly grown since each of our past inductees was a student at The Woods, but their dedication and contributions to their academics and athletic teams have left an incredible mark that is truly inspiring,” said Brennan J. Randolph, president of SMWC. “Our student-athletes are a big part of this institution, and we see our mission statement living out through them. We are proud of their performances in the classroom as well as their performances in their arenas of competition.”
Each inductee took a few moments to speak after accepting their awards.
“I thank Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College for accepting me as a student, and I am forever grateful to Coach Mark Feller for accepting me as an athlete,” Haltom said. “Being inducted into the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Hall of Fame is an absolute honor and blessing.”
Myers’ brother, Christopher, accepted the award and offered remarks on behalf of the family, who were also in attendance.
“Thank you to everyone who was a part of Ben’s life through golf,” he said. “Thank you to his teammates. If it hadn’t been for you guys, I don’t think he would have honed his skills as he did. I don’t think he would have been as passionate about golf as he was.”
Denise Titzer said it was “a tremendous honor to see Ben recognized by the school that meant so much to him.”
“He was so proud to be a part of the SMWC family,” she said. “This honor brings both pride and sadness. We miss him every day, and there is a part of me that wishes he could stand here and experience this moment himself.”
It was an incredible honor for Rehs, who thanked family and friends for their support along the way.
“Basketball was such a meaningful part of my life, and the relationships, lessons and memories I gained through the game have stayed with me long after my playing days,” she said. “I’m thankful for the coaches, teammates, family and friends who supported me throughout my journey.”
Dennis Leek, head coach of the 1997 National Championship softball team, joined his former players on stage as he accepted the award.
“On behalf of myself and the team, I can honestly say we are in ‘awe’ and honored to be selected for this prestigious event,” he said. “Forever etched in the history of SMWC Athletics is an amazing accomplishment for all of us – coaches, staff and players.”
The event led into tailgating at McMahon Field and Homecoming events on Les Bois lawn, where crowds enjoyed food, yard games, music, caricature art, and alumni- and student-led information tables.
SMWC football players senior Corbyn Cleveland and his brother, freshman Jaidyn Torres, were supported by their parents, sisters and grandpa, who tailgated at McMahon Field ahead of the game.
“We love coming up for these games and supporting our son, especially on such a beautiful day,” said Hillary Cleveland, of Houston, Texas.
Coming to SMWC’s homecoming game was a no-brainer for Leslie Daughty, who came to support her grandson, Jonathen Hayworth-Dupree, a junior defensive lineman from Montezuma, Ind.
“We don’t miss a game because we’re always supporting our grandkids in whatever they do,” she said.
Amy Murdock of Sullivan, Ind., and her family played cornhole while waiting for the game to start so they could support freshman kicker Cash Murdock.
“We really like coming out and supporting the team, and it doesn’t hurt that we’ve also got beautiful weather and good food,” she said.
It was the most wonderful time of year for Shannon Sonderman, ’18, vice president of the Alumni Board of Directors.
“I’m just excited to see the campus full of alumni, students and faculty,” said Sonderman, who also sang the National Anthem at the Homecoming football game.
Micah Fisher, vice president of Student Senate, was excited to spend the weekend giving back to campus, making memories with her friends, and being a part of something bigger than herself as she mingled with alumni at the student table area during Homecoming.
“Being a student leader has shown me that even the smallest moments of showing up and serving others can create the best memories,” said Fisher, a senior education major from Terre Haute. “I’m excited to see everyone who’s shown up to support our community this weekend.”
Saturday’s athletic events kicked off with the equestrian team at the SMWC Homecoming Invitational, presented by the Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau. The SMWC Western equestrian team captured Champion High Point Team honors on opening day and Reserve High Point Champion on Sunday. Claire Coryell led the Pomeroys by earning another High Point Rider award, while her teammate Courtney Hamrick completed a sweep of the meet’s top individual honors for SMWC by being named Reserve High Point Rider. Elizabeth Hoagland also contributed to the Pomeroys’ championship performance with an excellent ride in Rookie Horsemanship.
In the afternoon, women’s volleyball swept Indiana University Southeast in Knoerle Center, winning 25-17, 27-25, 25-16, extending their record to 29-1 and 6-0 in RSC conference play.
A packed crowd watched the Pomeroy football team take on Madonna University in its first Homecoming game at McMahon Field. Total attendance was over 900. The Pomeroys fought hard but lost, 79-20. Half-time included performances by both the Dance Team and Cheer Team, a frisbee toss sponsored by Quality Roofing of Indiana, and Refreshment Services Pepsi of Terre Haute sponsored the Field Goal Kick event. Maci Woerner, a nursing and biology major from Villa Park, Ill., had three chances to kick for a prize: a 15-yard field goal kick for a Pepsi/Dr. Pepper Swag Bag, a 25-yard field goal for a Dr. Pepper grizzly cooler, and a 30-yard field goal kick for a $500 scholarship. Despite missing the first two kicks, Woerner nailed the 30-yard field goal and took home a $500 scholarship, surprising even herself.
“I’ve never kicked a field goal before, but you know what they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and I made it,” she said.
The 2026 SMWC Hall of Fame inductees were introduced, and the 2026 Homecoming Cup was presented to Team Problematic Pomeroys, which included students Isabelle Waldron, Alyse Rollings, Maci Woerner, Bailey Duke and Annie Harmon.
Alumni participated in both women’s volleyball and softball games on Saturday.
“Volleyball was such a big part of my experience at SMWC, so getting the chance to come back and play with other alumni feels like a really special way to reconnect with the school and the sport that brought me there in the first place,” said Gabriella Slagle ’19, of Houston, Texas. “I was part of the original group of girls who helped start the volleyball program at SMWC in 2015, so it’s pretty cool to be able to come back years later and see how much the program has grown.”
Ashley Harris, SMWC’s head women’s volleyball coach and assistant athletic director, felt this year was the right time to introduce an alumni game.
“Our schedule in past seasons hadn’t allowed us to set up an alumni game, but this season we were able to. I reached out to a handful of them to see if this would be something they would want to do, and the response back was ‘Yes!’” she said. “I’m so excited to give them this opportunity to come back home, share their life stories, and for my current players to see how the foundation of our program was built.”
On Saturday afternoon, alumni hit the softball field.
“Softball was such a big part of my experience at SMWC and college, in general, and getting the opportunity to play with some of my former teammates again is exciting. It feels special to come back and be on the field together again after graduation,” said Makenzee Legg ’26, of Terre Haute. “I’m excited to be back on campus, seeing some former teammates, coaches, professors and friends, and reliving some of the memories that made my time at The Woods so special. Homecoming is a really fun way to come back, reconnect and celebrate everything SMWC means to me.”
Lynn O’Linski ’76, a member of SMWC’s Board of Trustees and former Alumni Association Board president, participated in the game.
“It’s fun to bring alumni back to reunite and relive some of their best times on campus,” she said.
The campus community also honored the College’s foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, during a Feast Day Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Current and former members of the SMWC Chorale were invited to participate in a short concert in the church after Mass.
The weekend wrapped up Sunday with Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the final day of competition at the SMWC Homecoming Invitational at the Equine Outdoor Arena.