This year, Ohio University dedicated its Homecoming to the Marching 110 and its long-time director Ronald P. Socciarelli after his recent death. The motto was “Better than the Best Ever,” a tribute to Mr. Socciarelli’s passion and commitment to the university, to music and to young people. In this era of Jerry Sanduskys and Bernie Madoffs, Mr. Socciarelli was an honorable and committed role model. He was everything you would ever want an educator to be. But I have read nothing about this in your newspaper.
The Marching 110 has for many years been a wildly popular ambassador and recruitment tool for the university. Many students choose Ohio University for one reason only: to be in the 110. And Mr. Socciarelli was so beloved that more than 700 alumni band members returned to Athens for this tribute to their former director. That doesn’t happen at UCLA or Ohio State or Florida State or Penn State. Only at Ohio University. But I have read nothing about this in your paper.
Mr. Socciarelli touched the life of every student he had. He left a lasting mark on a university, a city and generations of young people. He was so beloved that when the alumni band performed at the Homecoming game, the band director’s ladder was left empty because he wasn’t there and nobody could take his place. But I have read nothing about this in your paper.
Andrew Park is a resident of Clearwater, Fla.
