Seventeen days after retiring from a 34-year career at EMU, Bonnie Bowser was out and about at the local ballpark on Thursday evening, catching up with campus coworkers, sporting her EMU ALUMNI cap, and excited to cheer on the home-team Harrisonburg Turks baseball squad. 

Bowser, former circulation & office manager for the Sadie Hartzler Library, and her husband, Henry, were among more than 70 EMU supporters who turned out at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg for the third annual EMU Night with the Turks baseball game. For her, the main draw was seeing familiar faces from the EMU community, more than the game itself.

“These people are my family,” she said, pointing to the others around her, decked out in EMU colors. “They’ve been family for 34 years.” 

EMU Night with the Turks is a popular event for fans of America’s pastime and EMU Royals of all ages to enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride. Those who wore EMU apparel were granted free admission for the game. The first 50 fans who bought popcorn from the concession stand received it in a collectible EMU bucket. 

The Turks are part of the 12-team Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league that features players from across the country. Thursday’s game featured a matchup between two South Division powerhouses: the first-place Turks and second-place Staunton Braves. The Turks got off to a quick start, scoring four runs in the first inning and three more over the next three frames. The Braves came roaring back with four runs but fell short, as the Turks won 7-4.

An EMU alumnus who regularly attends Turks games, Brian Enedy ’02, who earned a degree in recreation leadership and sports studies, appreciated the plentiful scoring and said Harrisonburg had a good shot at securing the top seed in the upcoming playoffs. “It’s fun to come out and watch the players from different schools,” he said. “You never know, some of them might make it to the major leagues someday, and you can say, ‘I saw them play here.’”

Channeling her inner softball slinger, EMU’s new interim president Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus threw out the ceremonial first pitch, uncorking an arcing toss described by the announcer as an “underhand curve.” The pitch ambled across the plate right on target. 

Throughout the game, EMU’s mascot, Herm, and the Turks mascot, Gill, greeted fans and friends in the stands, competed in a footrace—Gill eked out the win by a beak’s length—and spread positivity and good sportsmanship.

Staff members from EMU’s marketing and communications department threw hats and fired shirts into the crowd, using a T-shirt cannon designed by EMU engineering grad Adam Stoltzfus ’25 with help from engineering lab tech Henry Bowser and funded by 2019 alumni Ben and Kayla Zook.��

EMU Night with the Turks also offered a chance for future Royals to meet Herm and others within the campus community. Friends and Buffalo Gap High School grads Karina Bondaruk and Leah Palmieri, who will be attending EMU as first-year students this fall, saw posts on the university’s official Instagram page—give it a follow —promoting the event and felt it would be a good way to connect with the community. “We just wanted to soak in the EMU atmosphere,” Palmieri said.

Melvin Felix, coach of the Royals men’s basketball team, and his wife brought their three young sons out to the ballpark for the game. “They’ve only been to little league tee-ball games,” he said, “so this is their first big league experience.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Turks again this year for collegiate summer baseball at its finest. It’s an opportunity for EMU fans and their friends and families to enjoy an evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride,” said Jen Kulju, director of marketing and communications at EMU.

“We’re excited to welcome our friends from EMU back for a fun night of baseball,” said Gerald Harman, team president of the Turks. “We look forward to a great and rewarding time for the Turks and Royals.”

All who wear their EMU gear will get in for free. The first 50 fans to buy popcorn will receive it in a collectible EMU bucket. EMU’s mascot, Herm, and the Turks mascot, Gill, will greet guests and take selfies throughout the game. EMU swag will be up for grabs between innings.

Founded in 1917, ��ݮ���� is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA, serving students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. EMU confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions.

Established in 1915, the  collegiate summer baseball team plays 40+ regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League; league playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks have gone on to play in the MLB and coach collegiate and professional baseball.

The special night featured a matchup between the 2023 champion Harrisonburg Turks and the Covington Lumberjacks. Those who wore EMU gear were admitted for free.

Leading by a 5-1 score, the Lumberjacks gave up one run in the seventh inning and two runs in the eighth to bring the Turks within reach. The home team’s rally fell short, though, as the Lumberjacks prevailed 5-4.

The night featured giveaways of EMU gear and a meet-and-greet with Turks players, Turks mascot Gill and EMU mascot Herm. This is the second year EMU and the Turks have partnered for the event.

A total of 341 people attended Friday’s game, including 131 EMU fans and their friends and families.

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The pitch was right on target and bounced off home plate into the catcher’s glove!

The Turks provide college players an opportunity to enhance their baseball and life skills, said Gerald Harman, team president. “Teaming up with EMU allows us to further our success through extended outreach while promoting education within the region,” he added.

At a table near the entrance, EMU marketing and communications staff Kate Szambecki and Aric Berg handed out EMU-branded baseballs, Royals apparel and stickers, and information brochures to guests.

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the event. Hope to see you next season!

“The Turks provide college players an opportunity to enhance their baseball and life skills, and community collaborations help us to accomplish these goals. Teaming up with EMU allows us to further our success through extended outreach while promoting education within the region,” added Gerald Harman, team president of the Turks.

All who wear their EMU gear will get in for free; the first 50 fans to arrive will get a free EMU baseball. All are invited to take part in a pre-game meet and greet where Turks players will mingle with fans and sign autographs from 6:30-7:10 p.m. EMU’s mascot, Herm, and the Turks mascot, Gill, will greet guests and take selfies throughout the game. EMU swag will be up for grabs between innings.

Founded in 1917, ��ݮ���� is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA, serving students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. EMU confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions.

Established in 1915, the  collegiate summer baseball team plays 40+ regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League; league playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks have gone on to play in the MLB and coach collegiate and professional baseball.