The Rivalry has a way of bringing Lehigh people together, no matter where life takes them after graduation. Every year, alumni across the country gather to cheer on the Mountain Hawks, reconnect with old friends, and make new memories. Fellow alumni organizing events and welcoming Lehigh fans far beyond campus.
Let’s meet a few of the alums championing Rivalry telecasts around the country.
Check out the locations and find one near you. We hope to see you there!
Meet the Telecast Hosts
Billy Deehan ’14 & Katie Deehan ’14 M.Ed.’16
Telecast Location
Chicago, Illinois
Why Telecast?
After moving to Chicago, we attended a telecast and were approached about hosting within our first year. When we got the opportunity, we were thrilled. We love Lehigh, so it just made sense.
The Rivalry telecast is a family-friendly event that fosters a sense of community and camaraderie. It’s a Lehigh event, but it’s also a community-building activity. We take our roles as welcoming, warm hosts incredibly seriously. We don’t have the largest alumni base compared to other cities, but we attract plenty of people who just happen to be in the area around Rivalry. You might not be from Chicago, but the moment you walk into the telecast party, you’re surrounded by people who understand you. Before you know it, you’re swapping stories about things that happened in the same building, decades apart.
Standout Telecasting Moment
One of the best things we did was change the party's location. It was previously held at a bar that required a $50 wristband for entry, and we could sense that the cost was contributing to declining attendance.
Billy connected with Matthew Harrison ’15 at a Lehigh networking event, who then put us in touch with a friend of his who owned a bar downtown. That’s when we really started making the event our own. Every year since, attendance has continued to grow. Seeing the telecast take off as a result of our hard work has been incredibly rewarding.
Favorite Rivalry Tradition
Billy: Turkey Trot!
Katie: I love Bed Races. Billy actually pushed me in one years ago!
First Rivalry Game as a Student
We’ve been dating since freshman year, but Le-Laf was the first time we hung out alone together. Our relationship took hold that day, and it evolved over our time at Lehigh. It’s such a special memory to share.
Message for Students Experiencing Their First Rivalry
Katie: Make sure you go to the game whether you like sports or not, just to experience that sense of community. It’s a magical event, and there’s so much to gain from it.
Billy: Keep a loose agenda, float around, and meet people. Take opportunities the day presents, and have fun!
Henry Weinberger ’12
Telecast Location
Bentonville, Arkansas (co-hosted by Justin McDonald ’16)
Why Telecast?
After moving to a new state, I really wanted to build a sense of community and meet new people. Connecting with Lehigh alumni felt like the natural next step. Now, I look forward to the annual traditions and rhythms associated with hosting the telecast party.
Standout Telecasting Moment
I don’t think there’s one specific moment, but rather a collection of them. I didn’t expect many people to show up because the Lehigh community is small here, but they did, and they continue to come year after year.
When I originally moved here with my wife, Guliz Uncu Weinberger ’12, there wasn’t any sort of telecast party. I took it upon myself to start one, and it’s gratifying to see it all come together. It’s fun to bring different generations of Lehigh alumni together in the same place.
Favorite Rivalry Tradition
The fight songs were the best, particularly on the bus to the away game or on the way to Goodman. We used to pass out lyric sheets on the bus and sing along. I distinctly remember a bunch of us singing on the subway to Yankee Stadium for the 150th game.
First Rivalry Game as a Student
As a freshman, you don’t know what to expect, but I had so much fun. I couldn’t tell you if we won or not, but I remember the sheer amount of people and the impression the experience left on me.
Message for Students Experiencing Their First Rivalry
Have fun! Don’t be afraid to meet people and make new connections.
Brielle Reisman ’18 & Mary Cotturo ’18 M.Eng. ’22
Telecast Location
Houston, Texas
Why Telecast?
We both sought community after we moved to the area. Events like the telecast make a big city a lot smaller, and those connections go a long way in combating loneliness. Lehigh alumni have so much in common. Funnily enough, most of the people that came to the telecast were fellow chemical engineers! Hosting not only helped us reconnect with classmates, but it also brought the two of us closer together.
Standout Telecasting Moment
Honestly, it’s the connections we’ve made. The first time we hosted, the turnout was much bigger than we expected on both the Lehigh and Lafayette sides. Even the bar owners were surprised by the crowd, and it was such a great feeling to bring everyone together.
Favorite Rivalry Tradition
Mary: The Marching 97! I may be a little biased because my husband, Christopher Bianco ’18, was a member of the band, but I just love them. I’m also partial to storming the field after the game.
Brielle: I have to agree; I love the band. They’re talented, but they’re also hilarious. Once, I saw them spell “Hi, Mom!” out on the field, and it gave me a good laugh.
First Rivalry Game as a Student
Brielle: I can speak for both of us when I say our first Rivalry was awesome! It was the 150th game at Yankee Stadium. It was absolutely freezing, but fantastic.
Message for Students Experiencing Their First Rivalry
Mary: Enjoy it! As a graduate, you’ll have opportunities like telecasts to help you reconnect with classmates and other alumni, but you’ll never recapture that extra special experience of being a student at the Rivalry game.
Brielle: Spend time with your friends and their families. It’s a great way to get to know them and bond with them.
