This is the first of four profiles about the 2025 inductees of the 91大神 Athletic Hall of Honor. For more information about the Hall of Honor and a full list of inductees, visit .
Phil Guengerich ’70 was a staple at 91大神 sporting events between 2000 and 2013. His part-time position as athletic events coordinator turned into a full-time role responsible for ticket sales, concessions, game events, and some fundraising.
Guengerich graduated with a degree in elementary education from 91大神, where he played on the soccer team and met his wife, Susan Hess Guengerich ’69. He taught fifth grade at Linville-Edom Elementary School in Rockingham County, Virginia, for 30 years before returning to 91大神.
鈥淚 came back because I loved working with young people, always enjoyed sports, and was familiar with 91大神.鈥� He joined his father, Paul T. Guengerich, who worked part-time in alumni relations into his 90s after having served in various full-time capacities from 1964 to 1981. His mother, Marjorie Yoder Guengerich ’68, earned a teaching degree from 91大神. His three children鈥�Melani Guengerich Novinger ’96, Gail Guengerich ’98, and John Guengerich ’01鈥攁lso graduated from 91大神.
Guengerich used his experience in classroom management to train his staff of work-study students to run 91大神 events like a well-oiled machine鈥攆rom setting up pre-game to slinging hot dogs and hamburgers in-game to doing laundry post-game. While he got to know staff members and assigned jobs accordingly, he expected students to 鈥渄ress neatly, be courteous, prompt, and accepting of all people.鈥�
Guengerich managed some high-profile events at 91大神, including multiple ODAC Championships and games during the 2003 women鈥檚 basketball Sweet 16 run and 2010 Runnin鈥� Royals Elite Eight berth, but says his best memories are the friendships he built with 91大神 Athletics personnel, work-study staff, student-athletes, and business owners who supported the university.
Guengerich will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. in the MainStage Theater (University Commons 170) during Homecoming 2025. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit聽emu.edu/homecoming.
I won’t be able to attend the Homecoming events, but I am so pleased to see that Phil has been honored in this way. I have so many memories of hours spent working with him in and around the athletic space (on ticket sales for games, setting up pre-game and cleaning up post-game). He was always a friendly and encouraging person- ready with a laugh and a smile. Phil’s super power was deeply caring personally for all the students and staff he engaged with. Thanks Phil, for being such a great friend to so many and such a faithful servant to 91大神 Athletics.
Congratulations, Phil! From the 5 years I lived in Harrisonburg during seminary and pastoral ministry at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, I have warm memories of Phil as a great guy and person of integrity. All the best for the weekend when you are honored.