Alfred University Athletics

Mark O’Meara ’74  is the fourth Saxon to earn the Distinguished Saxon Alumni recognition since its inception in 2018. The award recognizes Alfred University student-athletes for outstanding achievement following their playing career at Alfred University. This award is not necessarily based on athletic achievement, but on the nominees’ career success following graduation via leadership, service, advancement, or other similar means.

O’Meara played football, competed in track & field and was on the basketball team. During his time as a student and well beyond, he was involved in all things AU. On October 17, 1970, he attended his first ever Saxon Homecoming football game as a freshman on campus, selling programs for the next 10 years. On Saturday, October 5, 2019, O’Meara attended his 50th consecutive Homecoming game, just recently surpassing his 55th Homecoming game and continues to be seen, and even more so, heard as he rallies the home crowd with his chants and horn.

O’Meara served on the student newspaper, the yearbook committee and was on the St. Pat’s Board. He was a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha and also worked in the dining hall. Off campus, O’Meara was also incredibly visible, working with Eric Vaughn to start Hot Dog Day Weekend, a weekend that is shared between both AU and Alfred State College and anticipated all year. The pair along with AU and A-State utilized the weekend to raise funds to donate to local charities.

O’Meara and his wife, Loretta ‘75, took over the Alfred Sub Shop in 1974.

Back on campus, O’Meara worked with Dr. Gary Horowitz on building visibility of the university and to raise funds for the campus. In 1979, O’Meara started and coached the women’s soccer team for two years before a full-time coach was hired. O’Meara’s Saxons went 5-4-3 during the inaugural season, playing eventual national champion Cortland twice. He was also instrumental in the start of the Alfred University softball team that saw its first season in 1994 as he umpired it for many years. O’Meara went on to work at Columbia University in Student Affairs, earned his Master of Science in Higher Education and started their women’s soccer team.

O’Meara and Loretta live in Virginia where they host an annual alumni/admissions event and is also a Purple City volunteer for Alfred University. In 2008, he was honored as the recipient of the Athletics Award of Distinction.