Below is the agenda for the September 14th meeting. The primary objective of the meeting is to get people in place to head up the subcommittees and then review costs so they can develop budgets and plans for the alumni weekend.  I have listed some of the agenda items and responsabilites of the co

1. Homecoming 2023 and Alumni Weekend 2024 update
2. Online Registration form review - Please look over and make any recommendations to amend this:  https://www.upjgreeks.org/reunion-registration.html
3. Update on Greek organizations: 
   1. 4 Active Greek organizations: Delta Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Sig Tau Gamma, and Phi Sigma Sigma. 
   2. Delta Phi Epsilon is in the process of founding member agreement
   3. Acacia is returning Winter 2024
4. Subcommittees: Need Volunteer committee chairpersons for the following 4 subcommittees:
   1. Greek Alumni Council Organizational Committee (2 year volunteer term)
      • Recruitment - finding a point of contact for each organization. who can recruit both planners/volunteers/attendees.
      • Structure - UPJ Greeks Website updates for each organization
      • By Laws - review by-laws outline to develop a longer term structure for the committee https://www.upjgreeks.org/by-laws.html
   2. Welcome Committee (Alumni Weekend event only) - Friday & Sunday-
      • Friday Welcome table and off-campus Meet & Greet planning. 
      • Sunday (Continental breakfast- coffee & donuts, other) 
   3. Campus Tour Committee  (Alumni Weekend event only) - Saturday - Mimosa Brunch - Living Learning Center. Planning out the brunch menu and times, Registration/ names tags, etc Where people want to visit. All of the Greek Houses from the past are on the list. This committee will determine the locations and any other amenities that should be on the tour such as signage etc..
   4. Cookout Dinner & Evening Bonfire  (Alumni Weekend event only) - Saturday - Location TBD - Do we want a band or a DJ?  A fire outside?, decorations, outdoor tent, restrooms, etc, Photo booths, Swag & Gear - Cups, T-shirts, etc...
5. Costs - Kathleen Clawson, Director of Conferences & Events (Delta Chi Little Sister)
   1. Lodging Costs: LLC & Willow. Will be confirming descriptions of each accommodation and capacity numbers for each.
   2. Tours & Entertainment - Contingency for inclement weather?
      1. List of Buildings we want to tour (Academic & previous Greek Housing)
      2. Log Cabin - update of status
      3. Adirondack Shelter - update of status
      4. Gazebo area - This is a new suggested location
   3. Food Costs - Kathleen will have a menu of items to present
      1. Friday Check-in - Need a reception Table, Name tags etc. Suggestions & Directions to off campus informal gathering - Meet & Greet Cash bar. Perhap
      2. Mimosa Brunch - Saturday or Sunday
      3. Cookout Dinner & Evening Entertainment - 
      4. Continental Breakfast vs Boxed Lunch (Grab & Go) - Sunday or Saturday
   4. Online order taking via UPJ website

Monthly Meetings Second Thursday at 6pm ET on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting:  
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/95017543662
Meeting ID: 950 1754 3662
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Attendees:

• David Janusek, UPJ
• Alpha Gamma Delta- Jennifer Werni Hughes
• Delta Chi- Bernard Martin
• Delta Zeta- Grace Zimmerman Simcic

 

1. Question about Liability coverage for the Reunion weekend events. David confirmed that as long as the events are planned through his office (Institutional Advancement) the Liability Insurance will be covered. 
2. The Log Cabin will only be available for tours, not events. It is currently Offline for use due to accessibility, electrical/structural reasons. It would cost an estimated $750,000 to bring it up to compliance. (*This could be a great targeted fundraising effort!) David will check to see if the Adirondack Shelter is Online/Available for Saturday Night.
3. Still working on Recruitment - finding a point of contact for each organization who can recruit both planners/volunteers/attendees. Decided to set a recurring 2nd Thursday meeting . Hoping advanced notice helps availability to attend. 
4. We will bring the Alumni Board subcommittee meetings and these meetings together for the next meeting.
5. David states that the payments will be collected via UPJ Events department. They have the capability.  We will first collect data with our online form and then direct volunteers and participants to the online registration form.
6. Bernie will create an online Reunion Registration Form on the the UPJ Greeks website to be reviewed for the next meeting before we request others to start filling in the form

1. Online Registration form review
2. Set up subcommittees:

• Recruitment finding a point of contact for each organization who can recruit both planners/volunteers/attendees.
• Swag & Gear - Cups, T-shirts, etc...
• Friday Night Welcome - To be held off-campus at a local tavern. Coordinate a place and times
• ​Saturday Mimosa Brunch - Living Learning Center. Planning out the brunch menu and times, Registration/ names tags, etc
• ​Saturday Campus Tour - Where to people want to visit. All of the Greek Houses from the past are on the list. This committee will determine the locations and any other amenities that should be on the tour such s signage etc..
• ​Saturday Evening Cookout/ Dinner - Location TBD
• Log Cabin reception - Do we want a band or a DJ?  A fire outside? A handicapped accessible port-a-john? Can the maintenance department put some gravel in the washed out areas on the path down to the cabin?
• ​Sunday Coffee & Donuts - Locations TB

3. Costs

• We need estimates of pricing for campus lodging, meals, etc. David will get estimates from Kathleen Clawson (Delta Chi Little Sister) to be reviewed before the next meeting. Invite Kathleen to the next meeting, start with any lodging/food service questions for her.
• Lodging Costs: Will be LLC & Willow. Will be confirming descriptions of each accommodation and capacity numbers for each.
• Food Costs - We need a menu list of available items from Kathleen

1. Friday- None (check-in only, informal meetup at local bar/restaurant)
2. Saturday - Boxed/Grab & Go for breakfast and/or lunch. Cookout dinner
3. Sunday - Mimosa Brunch - or perhaps this is moved to Saturday Brunch. This will be decided in Committee once we have them set up
4. Sunday Cookout

Matt Sernell and John Wozniak (Delta Chi), Co Presidents of the UPJ Alumni Board sent out an email to all of the board members on August 3, 2023 advising that they had created Temporary Committee Chairs for the standing committees of the Alumni Board. 

​The following is a list of the Temporary Committee Chairs:

• Bylaws: Wozniak
• Finance: Go
• Golf: Matt Sernell
• Greeks: Martin
• Homecoming: Fry
• Mt. Cat: Ernie
• Scholarships: Ledney
• Student Relations: Stephens
• Social Outreach: Sheets
• Vets: Matt Sernell

On Monday 14 August 2023 the first meeting of the Greek Committee was called to order by interim chair Bernard Martin (Delta Chi). In attendance were:

• Jeff Kubay (Acacia)
• Bernard Martin (Delta Chi) 
• Mark Stephens (Sigma Tau Gamma)

An informal agenda had been forwarded prior to the meeting. Below is an overview of the meeting with Matt Sernell, UPJ Alumni Board Co- President said in his email: "Also remember, other alumni that are not on the Alumni Board can serve on committees, so if you know of someone who your committee feels could  brings something to the table, they can participate in the committee and committee activities."  

Review Active Greek Organizations
Currently there are three active Fraternities:

1. Delta Chi
2. Kappa Delta Rho 
3. Sigma Tau Gamma

and one active Sorority: 

1. Phi Sigma Sigma 

Review Perspective Greek Organizations returning to Campus
There are discussions occurring with Acacia to reorganize as well as with several sororities. Added several items to NEW BUSINESS for the next meeting for follow up on this topic.

Status of Alumni Board by-Laws with regard to Greek Committee

• Bernie explained that there was a Greek Planning Committing in place for a reunion that was scheduled to take place on from May 31- June 2. That it would make sense to merge this committee together with the planning committee and hopefully develop a more formalized operational structure.  
• Bernie discussed the long term development of a "Greek Alumni Council" subcommittee that could be self sustaining.  Reviewed the By-Laws on the UPJ Greeks Website. Discussed the concerns that were brought up regarding liability exposure and how coverage was structured. Bernie relied that David Janusek (UPJ) was looking into this as a result of the last meeting (see: All Greek Reunion 2024- Planning Meeting 3 Report). Jeff Kubay will research.
• Committee agreed to merge into GAC (Greek Alumni Council) that is already in formation to and sit on one of the committees as they evolve. Therefore the Committee meeting and the GAC meeting will become one meeting instead of two with the short term objective of establish an All Greek Reunion in 2024 and then evolving that into a sustainable organization

Election of Chairperson
Jeff Kubay nominated Bernard Martin as Chairperson. Second By Mark Stephens. Bernard Martin was elected Chair by unanimous decision. 

Old Business for next meeting:

1. ByLaws - update from Kubay
2. Homecoming 2023 vs 2024, 2025 & Beyond.  Alumni Reunion weekend
3. Greek Weekend - merge minutes from previous meeting (All Greek Reunion 2024- Planning Meeting 3 Report) and select committee chairs
4. University Relations

New business for next meeting

1. Greek Expansion: Determine point of contact at the University who works with Greek organizations, Speak to Christian J. Stumpf, Vice President for Student Affairs.  Discuss with Megan George Delta Zeta National interest in re-organization.  Is ASA also in talks with UPJ.
2. Undergrad Greek org Relations:  Determine status of current Greek Organizatons: standing, sustainability, numbers, housing, charitable work, etc. Contact Christian J. Stumpf, Vice President for Student Affairs.
3. Get the names and status of existing and future greek organizations from Christian J. Stumpf, Vice President for Student Affairs.

Attendees:

• UPJ - David Janusek
• Acacia- Greg Mautino
• Alpha Gamma Delta- Jennifer Werni Hughes
• Delta Chi- Bernard Martin
• Omega Alpha Tau- Jody Robatzek Greiner

UPJ Alumni Board
Elections were held and the first meeting of the new alumni board at UPJ.  There are several members of the UPJ Alumni Board who are members of Greek Organizations.  Bernie Martin has been appointed interim chair of the newly formed Greek Subcommittee and will be holding their first meeting on August 14. 

Background & History
Nearly a decade ago when Bernie built the UPJ Greeks website which has been funded by Dr Pete Korch (Delta Chi) they developed a proposal to create a Greek Alumni Council which include a set up By-Laws and some longer term capitol project for a Log Cabin outdoor forum and underground storage/ showcase area for Greek Organizational history.  The intent was to create another affinity group subcommittee similar to what the Alumni Board had approved for the Education alumni.  In an Executive session of the Alumni Board it was decided to not approve additional affinity group subcommittees.  That put most of the plans on hold for a Greek Alumni Council. Until now. 

Greek Alumni Council subcommittee
According to Matt Sernell, Co-Presdent of the new Alumni Council and as part of the newly created Greek Subcommittee, "Also remember, other alumni that are not on the Alumni Board can serve on committees, so if you know of someone who your committee feels could  brings something to the table, they can participate in the committee and committee activities." which has laid the foundation for a Greek Alumni Council that could fall under the liability umbrella of the UPJ Alumni Board.

Liability Coverage
During the meeting this evening, it was determined that should find out more about liability coverages for the reunion weekend events.  David Janusek said that he would begin research into this topic and have some information for the next meeting. 

Old ideas are New Again
Some of the ideas for the All Greek Reunion were mapped out in 2015.  Take a look at the following article: ​Homecoming 2015: We ARE Greek! "Shout It Out!"

Committees
For the 5/31-6/2/2024 it was decided to set up several committees:

• Recruitment finding a point of contact for each organization who can recruit both planners/volunteers/attendees.
  
• Swag & Gear - Cups, T-shirts, etc...
• Friday Night Welcome - To be held off-campus at a local tavern. Coordinate a place and times
  
• ​Saturday Mimosa Brunch - Living Learning Center. Planning out the brunch menu and times, Registration/ names tags, etc
  
• ​Saturday Campus Tour - Where to people want to visit. All of the Greek Houses from the past are on the list. This committee will determine the locations and any other amenities that should be on the tour such s signage etc..
  
• ​Saturday Evening Cookout/ Dinner - Location TBD
  
• Log Cabin reception - Do we want a band or a DJ?  A fire outside? A handicapped accessible port-a-john? Can the maintenance department put some gravel in the washed out areas on the path down to the cabin?
  
• ​Sunday Coffee & Donuts - Locations TBD

Lodging
We will need select a host hotel off-campus but on-campus options will be the Living Learning Center and Willow Hall for families with children.   David will get estimates of pricing for campus lodging, meals, etc.

Next Actions

1. Put out the call for volunteers with skills/connections to help with marketing (logo/designs/merch) and services.
2. David to check on the ability of the UPJ Database software to determine if it has fields for affinity groups.  
   
3. Bernie will build an online form in lieu of a UPJ database within the UPJ Greeks website to start collecting contact information
   
4. Bernie will update after the Alumni Board Subcommittee meeting.

Hosted on Zoom by David Janusek, UPJ Director of Alumni and Giving
E) dgj7@pitt.edu        W) 814.269.2081        C) 412.638.2335

Attendees:

• Delta Chi: Bernard Martin, ABT & UPJ Alumni Board, Vance Kesler. Delta Chi ABT President
• Alpha Gamma Delta: Jennifer Werni Hughes, Annita Seiple Moore
• Omega Alpha Tau: Jody Robatzek Greiner

Discussion Points:

• Bernie reported talking with Megan Jordan George ( Delta Zeta) who organized both previous All Greek Reunions (2010 & 2013). Megan will be re-starting the old Weebly database to give us a head start on organizing. She hopes to be able to join the next Zoom call.
• Some time was spent discussing the previous All Greek reunions, and other reunions that campus has hosted (particularly with Delta Chi).
• We chose a date of May 24th-27th 2024 for the reunion. David will start the ball rolling on reserving that date on campus.
• Accommodations: Will be looking into the cost comparison and availability of rooms in the Living Learning Center, lodges, townhouses, and/or dorms. Plus arranging hotel block pricing. The idea is to offer on campus (no driving) options, plus more family-friendly hotel options.
• Food: Talked about campus-provided and/or catering options. Delta Chi reunion had a positive experience using the conference center for a Mimosa Brunch ($25/head). Campus would also be able to provide a Saturday cookout option.
• Possible Events timeline:
  • Friday night- informal meetup at a local watering hole (similar to previous reunions)
  • Saturday afternoon- campus tours, possible family friendly events/games, group meetups/photos, etc.
  • Saturday early evening- cookout
  • Saturday night-(21+ only) @ Log Cabin, music, refreshments, bonfire/fire pits?
  • Sunday- Mimosa Brunch, any additional group meetups
• Additional topics for continued discussion:
  • We hope to allow pricing per event/day/lodging to allow more flexibility
  • Whether to limit attendance by graduation year. (Pending capacity)
  • Planning more for singles/couples vs. adding family friendly options
  • We’d like to recruit members from all of the current & past UPJ Greek organizations to participate in the planning committee, and a variety of age ranges so the event will appeal to a wide range of participants.
  • We are looking to make this an annual event.

​Next Planning Meeting: Thursday, June 15th at 6pm
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/95513432427
 Meeting ID: 955 1343 2427

Pitt-Johnstown social fraternities and sororities provide students the opportunity to become part of a group which shares common ideals and promotes community service, scholastic excellence,  philanthropic endeavors, as well as opportunities for social activities and leadership development. 

​Currently there are only FOUR registered and recognized social organizations on our campus.  They are listed below.  Any other mention of social organizations at Pitt-Johnstown are unrecognized and are therefore not monitored, supported, or endorsed by The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. 

​Fraternities and sororities regularly sponsor service activities, intramural teams, social events, and educational programs. The groups sponsor academic activities and recognition; the scholastic achievement of members is monitored by the organization.

Phi Sigma Sigma International Fraternity was founded at Hunter College (NY) in 1913, and was established at Pitt-Johnstown in September, 1991. The colors are king blue and gold; the flower is the American Beauty rose; the jewel is the sapphire; and the symbol is the Sphinx. “Aim High” is the sorority motto. Phi Sigma Sigma supports the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation as their philanthropy. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation supports school and college readiness. 

Delta Chi Fraternity was founded in 1890 at Cornell University (NY). The fraternity’s colors are red and buff and the official flower is the white carnation. Established in October 1972, Delta Chi was the first national fraternity at Pitt-Johnstown, which has raised funds for the Arthritis Foundation of Johnstown and has sponsored a child in Colombia, South America.

Delta Chi was formed by the brothers of local fraternity Phi Delta Psi. Phi Delta Psi Fraternity was founded in the Winter of 1962, the second local fraternity after Lambd Sigma Rho.  On April 2, 1971, the Brothers of Phi Delta Psi were sworn into the pledge program of Delta Chi. On May 15, 1971, they were fully initiated into the Bond of Delta Chi, twenty-four strong , the Penn State Delta Chi Chapter House. 

Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity was founded in 1905 at Middlebury College (VT), and the Iota Alpha Chapter was established at Pitt-Johnstown in 1982. The fraternity’s motto is “Honor Above All Things;” its colors are Middlebury blue and Princeton orange; and the flower is the red rose. The chapter’s major philanthropic project is the annual Wallyball Tournament which benefits the Cambria County Chapter of the Easter Seals.

Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity was founded on June 28, 1920, at the University of Central Missouri, and the Delta Pi Chapter was founded at Pitt-Johnstown in 2007. The fraternity colors are azure blue and white. The members of Sigma Tau Gamma uphold the six principles of value, learning, leadership, excellence, benefit and integrity in their everyday lives. The national philanthropy of Sigma Tau Gamma is Books for Kids; at a local level, Sigma Tau Gamma raises money for cancer research.

The Delta Pi Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania was originally established in 1988 with 28 Founding Fathers. It was re-established in 2009 with 16 Refounding Fathers. Over 300 men have been initiated since its inception.

All potential new members to our Greek letter organizations must register to go through the recruitment process.  The recruitment period for Spring 2018 is complete. If you are interested in reaching out to one of our organizations, please connect directly with the contacts below.  

While each organization has a set of specific recruitment standards, the university requires that a student have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.  Further, students must also have a commitment to the values of the Greek community: leadership, scholarship, service, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

The advancement of the Fraternity/Sorority community at Pitt-Johnstown is also a key value in a potential new member.  Students who would like to be considered for the Fraternity/Sorority community must participate in a potential new member education workshop with the Campus Activities and Engagement Office before they are eligible to accept bids through our system.

​For more information about recruitment, please contact Heather Bloom Hall, Fraternity/Sorority Advisor and the Director of Campus Activities and Engagement at hbh7@pitt.edu.

MICK STINELLI
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette DEC 24, 2021

A food service company this week sued the University of Pittsburgh, alleging the school owed the organization $7 million because sending students home amid the pandemic deprived them of revenue.

After telling the Sodexo company to continue stocking Pitt’s Oakland and Johnstown campuses with food and other inventory despite students leaving campus for the semester in March 2020, the company believed Pitt would compensate them for labor and materials costs of over $5.5 million.
Instead, those costs were incurred without any revenue from the on-campus food service to offset the charges, the lawsuit states.

They are suing Pitt for three counts of breach of contract, plus one count of unjust enrichment. A spokesman from the university declined to comment since the litigation is still pending.
According to the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court on Thursday, Sodexo also signed a 2017 contract with Pitt to contribute to a renovation fund to improve the dining areas in the Oakland campus. Their contributions would total more than $4.8 million paid in three installments over three years.

But those efforts were halted after Pitt students shifted to online class in the spring of 2020, just as Sodexo was collecting funds for its final payment for the renovation effort.

“Sodexo’s revenue stream and its ability to accrue funds for improvements to UPitt’s dining services was almost entirely dependent on students residing on campus,” the lawsuit reads.

Initially, the university told the company to prepare for the student population to shelter in place. But when everyone was sent away from campus, the agreement between Sodexo and Pitt “was effectively discontinued and fundamentally altered.”

The company also claims the university owes it money for other expenses, such as $75,000 for an equipment fund, $23,186 in catering deposits and $106,198 in maintenance billing.

Sodexo and Pitt have been engaged in a contract since July 2007. The contract expired on June 30, 2020, after Pitt declined to extend the agreement, the suit says.
​
Mick Stinelli: mstinelli@post-gazette.com; 412-263-1869; and on Twitter: @MickStinelli
First Published December 24, 2021, 3:37pmMICK STINELLI
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ferrell and Parting. Luke Trotz, Delta Chi

TROTZ – Luke A., 28, of Ebensburg passed away August 15, 2021 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.  Born September 12, 1992 in Heart of Mary Villa, Manilla, Phillipines, son of Joseph A. and Patti (Ball) Trotz.  Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Patrick and Judith Ball and paternal grandparents, Frank and Eleanore Trotz. 

Survived by parents, of Florida;  wife, Samantha E. (Makin) Trotz, to whom he was married August 1, 2020, but had dated for 11 years;  In-laws, Mary and Dale Makin, Colver;  maternal aunt and uncles: Sally A. Ball and Jeffrey (Carleen) Ball, both of Ebensburg, and Gregory (Jeanne Jo) Ball, of Salbury, NC., and paternal aunt and uncle, Frank Trotz and Jolene Komara, both of Johnstown, as well as sisters-in-law Stephanie (Dan) Smith and Sydney Makin, two nephews and numerous cousins. 

Luke was a 2010 graduate of Central Cambria High School, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Class of 2014 and received his Masters Degree from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh. He was working towards his M.B.A. before his illness.  He was employed by UPJ upon his graduation and joined the faculty of St. Francis University in 2016, where he served as Director of E-Sports, served as Assistant Director of Student Life & Engagement. 

His interests were varied, he loved everything with regards to gaming, enjoyed his involvement in musical theatre during high school, and was always available to his students and his university family. In addition Luke had a love of baseball as he played and coached on numerous teams.  Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held.  Funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto,  on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., Very Rev. Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., celebrant.  Private interment at Lloyd Cemetery, Ebensburg.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Luke’s memory may be made to the Dorothy Day Outreach Center, P.O. Box 600, Loretto, Pa.  15940.     

By Shawn Curtis, scurtis@tribdem.com
Aug 18, 2021

As friends and colleagues recounted memories and shared thoughts about Luke Trotz, first impressions and lasting memories came to mind about as fast as a smile or laugh from him.

Trotz, who was the assistant director of student life and engagement along with serving as the director of esports at St. Francis University, passed away at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday. The 2010 graduate of Central Cambria High School and a 2014 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown was 28. He is survived by his parents Joseph and Patti Trotz, now of Florida, and his wife, Samantha, whom he married in 2020.

His easy-going nature made him a dynamo of positivity, even in highly competitive moments.

“He had a magnetic personality that you wanted to be around,” said Brett Marabito, a teammate of Trotz on multiple youth-league baseball squads and the Berkley Hills Renegades of the AAABA League. “He drew people in because he was always happy. Very few things ever got him down. He was always the one bringing everyone else up. That’s what made him such a great teammate. He was always there to pick people up.”

Marabito, now the assistant principal at Ligonier Valley High School, made note of a prodigious power display from Trotz during their first game together as members of the B.Hale Boilers of the Johnstown Recreation Pony League.

“Our first game in the Pony League, we were playing Ideal Market … Ideal had a really good team that year,” Marabito said. “First game as a 13-year-old, Luke goes out and hits three home runs, and we beat them 15-0. … He set the tone for us that season as far as offense goes. The home run he hit to right-center field at the light pole where the fences meet at the Bandshell. The first time I ever watched him play baseball was three home runs against Ideal Market.”

Josh Day, one of Trotz’s coaches with the Boilers, had a similar first impression a few months before that Johns- town Rec debut.

“I remember the first time we saw him play, we were at (East Taylor-Jackson) watching him play as a 12-year-old,” Day said. “He was looking like a man among boys. They have that tree line out there. He had two home runs in the game we went to see him, and they cleared not just the fence but the tree line behind the fence.”

‘Saw the greater good’When Seth Mason, founder of The Esport Company, was beginning to expand the impact of esports in the region, Trotz was at his side as a high school league was launched this past spring.

Mason noted that Trotz was willing to put in the time for the local high school esports scene on top of his duties coaching the esports team at St. Francis.

“Words can’t explain how important he was to our company and to what we’ve developed across the region in high school esports,” Mason said. “He was someone who was going to the schools. He was positive, impactful and saw the greater good of what we were trying to do.”

Trotz’s involvement in esports also allowed him to coach up one of his former coaches as a team was getting off the ground at Greater Johnstown High School.

“He was a big force behind Greater Johnstown School District having an esports program,” Greater Johnstown Athletic Director Kerry Pfeil, who also coached Trotz at the Pony level, said.

“With me being the athletic director, I had someone to go to every single time that I had a question. I still remember thinking, ‘I coached the kid in Pony League and here I am, he’s teaching all about esports and what it can bring to all of the kids in the school district.’ It’s a pretty cool feeling to be able to work with one of your former players and learn from him.”

Trotz was instrumental in helping launch a dedicated esports facility at St. Francis, but that wasn’t his only concern when in Loretto.

“He just didn’t do esports,” Mason said. “He did Greek life.

“He helped with all of those activities. He truly loved what he was doing and esports made him that kid again. He was involved with a lot of community initiatives and projects in Cambria County.
“He made an impact that’s going to last 50 to 100 years from now.”

That spirit of involvement meant that any time that a hand was needed on campus, Trotz was quick to pick up the phone.

“Luke got it,” said Jim Brazill, the senior associate athletic director at St. Francis. “Luke understood his role to serve the students and he did that with a passion. It didn’t matter if the student was Greek life, an athlete or a member of esports – he wanted them to have a great experience at St. Francis. Anytime athletics hosted a championship in any sport, I could count on Luke being one of the first calls I’d receive.

“He’d say, ‘What do you need from student activities and how do we make this the biggest event on campus?’ ”

While Mason said that Trotz was irreplaceable, he is hoping that The Esport Company can honor him in numerous ways starting with awards and scholarships for players in their high school esports league. Mason said that the Luke Trotz Excellence Award would given to one esport player in The Esport Company’s high school league in both the fall and spring seasons, along with a pair of esports scholarship awards in his name.

‘Cared about team success’His coaches and teammates at the Pony League level quickly saw a great talent on the field, but also learned that Trotz was an MVP in the dugout.

“He was the type of kid who always cared about team success,” Day, who is now the varsity baseball coach at Richland, said. “There were days where even if he didn’t have the best day, he wasn’t going to sit and sulk about it. If he wasn’t having the best day and someone else was, he was picking them up. He was cheering them on.

“If you had teams full of guys like that, you’d never have to worry about chemistry or morale. It would all just happen naturally.”

Pfeil, who is also the baseball coach at Greater Johnstown, shared similar thoughts.

“He had a loyalty for who played for, who he represented and his teammates above everything,” Pfeil said. “When it came to competition, he was a die-hard to win, but he wanted to do things the right way.”

As Marabito and Trotz grew older, they were able to link up once more as teammates when the Berkeley Hills Renegades of the then-AAABA League needed to fill out their roster as they claimed the local title and represented Johnstown as its champion in the 2012 AAABA Tournament.

“We were able to share eight championships together,” Marabito said. “That stands out the most, because coming into AAABA, Luke didn’t get a shot with anybody coming out of high school and the Colt League. It took a couple of years to latch on, and whenever Larry McCabe became (manager) of the Renegades, we needed a local guy who could be reliable, be at games and play a few roles for us.

“Being two local guys, we didn’t play for Martella’s, we didn’t play for Delweld. It was that much more special for him and I both to make the AAABA Tournament together.”

Despite having not played for two seasons thanks to an injury suffered during his freshman year at Capital University, Trotz was eager to help when called.

As Marabito explained, it was his nature.

“He put the needs of others above his own so many times,” Marabito said. “That alone tells you the type of person that he was. He was a great son to his parents, and they absolutely adored him. He did everything he could to make them proud.

“He was a great husband to his wife, Sam.”

‘A big kid at heart’While Trotz wasn’t a professional gamer, he was able to collect numerous accolades in online play on titles such as “Halo 2,” “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” “Overwatch” and “Rocket League.”

He’d never pass up an opportunity to get a game started among friends.

“When we’d go to the facility at St. Francis, he’d always hop on a game with us and play,” Mason said. “He was kind of a big kid at heart. There was definitely a family-first mentality with Luke.”
The penchant for play did not mean that Trotz wouldn’t roll up his sleeves when needed.

Mason recalled that Trotz was one of the first to connect with him as Mason began his esport venture in 2018.

“He took me under his wing and trusted me to succeed when nobody else would hear me or the idea of what I was trying to do,” Mason said.

According to Pfeil, Trotz was always ready with open arms, regardless of the situation.
“Luke Trotz was welcoming,” Pfeil said. “He wanted everyone to feel included in whatever activity or event that he was partaking in.”
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Shawn Curtis is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5085. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnCurtis430.