Gary Labonte has resigned as Bluffton University's head men's and women's cross country/track and field coach. This is his third season with the Beavers.
"Gary Labonte will be leaving as head cross country and track and field coach for both our men's and women's teams at the conclusion of this academic year," said Phill Talavinia, athletics director. "I wish Coach Labonte all the best. We will begin a search for a new coach in the coming weeks."
The Bluffton University softball team fell behind 9-5 in game one, but the Beavers rallied back, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to win 10-9 against Heartland Conference rival Manchester College. The second game the Beavers scored in four of the six innings and won 9-1 for a mercy-rule victory over the Spartans. Bluffton improved to 12-11 overall and 5-3 in the HCAC, while the Spartans fell to 9-17 on the season and 1-5 in the conference.
The Bluffton University baseball team won a nail-biter after tying the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, going on to defeat conference foe Earlham College 7-6 in 12 innings. With their first conference win of the season, the Beavers improved to 1-6 in the HCAC and 9-13 overall. The Quakers fell to 8-12 on the season with a conference record of 1-6.
Dr. Doug Hertzler, associate director of Eastern Mennonite University's Washington (D.C.) Community Scholars' Center, will be the speaker at a Bluffton University Forum at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, in Yoder Recital Hall. His presentation, "People : Poverty x Power = Problems or Progress? Where Do You Fit into the Equation?" is free and open to the public.
Justin McCall, Victoria Miller, Beth McCullough and Kristin Beckman, all juniors in the Bluffton University music department, will present a recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10, in Yoder Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public; a reception will follow in the lobby.
Bluffton University's annual Pops Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, in Founders Hall, will offer a mix of music ranging from Broadway to Kid Rock. The concert is free and open to the public.
The evening will begin with jazz from the university's Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Adam Schattschneider, professor of music. The ensemble will perform "This Could Be the Start of Something," the composition and theme song of the late comedian, writer and television personality Steve Allen; "MacArthur Park," "Lullaby of Birdland" and "St. Thomas."
