Mansfield Athletics receives its largest-ever scholarship gift
Mansfield, Pa. — The Mansfield Mountaineers have just received the largest gift in the athletic program's history.
Roger Maisner, Mansfield professor emeritus and former director of athletics, committed a record $1 million to the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation for student-athlete scholarships.
$100,000 of the gift will be used for immediate-use scholarships for men's and women's basketball, softball, and baseball student-athletes.
"I'm a teacher and coach and I believe those words are synonymous, thus I am hoping to inspire my former students to step up and support Mansfield in this way also," explained Maisner, now in his 49th year at Mansfield. "This has been a goal for a long time. I'm honored, humbled and excited to be able to support Mansfield. I hope this gift motivates and inspires students and student-athletes in how important it is to give back and set the example."
Maisner came to Mansfield in 1976 as an instructor in health and physical education, assistant basketball coach, and head golf coach. He coached 21 total seasons as an assistant and head basketball coach, head baseball coach, and head golf coach. Maisner was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Baseball Coach of the Year in 1984. He was inducted into the Mansfield Alumni-Athletic Hall of Fame as an assistant basketball coach for the Mountaineers' 26-win PSAC Basketball Championship team of 1984.
"I am hoping my students and colleagues surpass this gift in the next year," Maisner added.
In 1985, Maisner was named director of athletics at Mansfield, a position he held for 28 years. He led the transition of Mountie athletics from NCAA Division III to Division II and helped raise millions of dollars for student-athlete scholarships. Maisner played a lead role in many additions to and construction of athletic facilities including Lutes Field, Shaute Field, Spaulding Field, the Soccer Field, and major upgrades to Van Norman Field, Maxson Track, Russell Field, and Decker Gym.
"This is a landmark moment for Mansfield, Mountaineer student-athletes, and the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation," said Bashar W. Hanna, president of Commonwealth University. "We are eternally grateful to Roger for his many dedicated years of service to Mansfield and its students. This remarkable gift, along with his ongoing service, continues Roger's legacy of enhancing opportunity for Mounties."
As a faculty member in the Health and Physical Education Department, Maisner taught kinesiology, coaching and athletic administration classes, activity courses and many different health and continuing education courses. As a professor and director of athletics, he worked directly with over 15,000 Mansfield students, staff and administrators in 20 sports and a dozen academic courses.
After 37 years in athletics, Maisner continued to teach and was asked to be the first coordinator of military and veteran affairs. In that role, he was responsible for creating the Veterans Support Group, a committee of faculty, staff, students, and community members. This group established the Military Resource Center, the Student Veterans Organization, the annual Military Appreciation Luncheon, and raised thousands of dollars for student scholarships. Even after his retirement from the university in 2022, Maisner continues to serve in the coordinator role with Military and Veteran Affairs as a volunteer.
"Roger's support is an investment in the future of Mountaineer Athletics and our incredible student-athletes," said Gretchen Sechrist, Mansfield campus administrator and interim vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. "We're grateful for his profound impact and will continue to build on the momentum of this and all the investments being made at Mansfield."
Maisner was selected to join the inaugural board for the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation, which was established this year to specifically support Mansfield students, faculty, and programs through fundraising.
"We have an incredible board that is dedicated to enhancing fundraising in support of Mansfield and its students," said Kate Billmeyer, senior director of philanthropy at the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation. "I'm heartened to see Roger, as a founding MUMF board member, set the example for others who bleed red and black to follow."
