This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
When the regular season draws to a close with the annual game against Lehigh, Lafayette fans aren’t exactly shy about expressing their pride in Leopard football. A run of three straight victories has added fuel to Lafayette’s fire in college football’s most-played rivalry.
Alumni and other supporters of the two schools will again gather at telecast parties across the country to watch the action when the teams clash Saturday, Nov. 17. The parties are set for noon Eastern Time, a half-hour before kickoff.
Kimberly-Ann Valliere ’01 has coordinated the telecast party in Washington, D.C., for the past handful of years.
“I enjoy hosting the event as it brings together alumni that span the generations,” she says. “Whether it’s a recent grad or a former football player from the ’50s, the event is always full of energy. Despite the fact that many participants have long since graduated, the Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry is still alive, and the participants aren’t afraid to show where their allegiance lies!”
Mary Smedley Donohue ’89 is hosting the telecast party in Sarasota, Fla., for a second year.
“The Lafayette-Lehigh game was always something special that brought us all together at school, so I thought it would be fun to see it bring us together again as alumni. I enjoy seeing the various different years interacting and cheering on our alma mater. We also have Lehigh join us and it’s fun to have the competition on hand.
“Personally, my years at Lafayette were a great time in my life and I still have very good friends from my days there. It’s nice to be with other alumni who enjoyed the experience too.”
Gordon Laird ’49 has had “a lot of fun” while hosting telecast parties in Houston for at least 15 years.
“We have a good relationship with the Lehigh guys and have gotten to know them,” he says. “It’s a lot of fun with the banter back and forth. The last three years they’ve been crying [at Lehigh losses], so I hope that continues.”
Laird expects that momentum from last month’s Houston event with President Dan Weiss – attended by more than 70 people – will carry over to attendance at the telecast party.
“We should support the team and the school; the College is doing so well,” he says.
Laird recalls a telecast party in the 1970s hosted by a Lehigh alumnus who had a satellite dish at his home. It failed to work that day, so he called campus every 30 minutes to get score updates and relay them to those assembled.