Soccer & Friends Reunion '23

On May 12-14th the Alumni Office and the Department of Exercise and Sport Science partnered to host an in-person reunion for MIU’s soccer team. Players and friends traveled from all over the world to spend the weekend in Fairfield.  More than 16 different countries were represented during the weekend. Alum, Cesar Aurutia, traveled the farthest, coming all the way from Lima, Peru (he had to have four different airport stops before arriving in Fairfield). 

In the early 2000s, MIU boasted a formidable soccer team that won many championships and played in leagues with other nearby universities. Having not returned to Fairfield in many years, the team wanted to reconnect with each other and visit the MIU campus. The impetus for the reunion came from coaches Francesco Volponi, Falk Mieschendahl, and Carlo Castillo. They led the charge in organizing the weekend and encouraging the players to attend. The weekend was filled with lots of reminiscences of memories, laughter, and of course soccer.   

The MUM (MIU) Soccer Team circa 1996

The reunion kicked off with registration and a delightful lunch in Annapurna followed by a comprehensive campus bus tour led by Ken Daley and a visit to the MIU archives in the library. During the tour, the group stopped at the Invincible America Assembly office so they could re-register their dome badges to attend evening program. Following the tour and meditation in the domes, the group reconvened for a festive pizza party in the new Wege Art Center. President John Hagelin extended a warm welcome to the group, delivering a brief speech, which was followed by additional talks from Francesco and Falk. After the heartfelt talks, the attendees joined current students in enjoying the opening reception of the new art exhibition, "FACTUAL / ACTUAL," held in the MIU art gallery. 

Reunion attendees eating lunch in the Annapurna Dinning Hall

On Saturday, the team played an exhilarating soccer game against a group of current students. Despite the fact that the reunion attendees were mostly retired from playing soccer, both teams displayed an equally impressive skill level. The students remarked how impressed they were with the soccer abilities of the reunion attendees. The game was moved into the field house due to rain, but the players said that it added a sense of nostalgia since many of their soccer games used to be held there. After the game and evening program, the group went to dinner at the Cider House and had a joyous time dancing the night away in town.   

Coach Francesco Volponi addresses the group

The weekend was filled with many emotional and profound moments where old friends conveyed their appreciation for each other and the times that they shared at MIU. Alum, Petra Renker expressed that “coming back on campus was like coming back home.” Victor Manuel Garcia said, “in 1991, my soul embarked on this new experience at this weird place called MIU in Fairfield, and last weekend, my soul traveled in a time machine. I wouldn’t change it for anything.” 

The following morning, the participants gathered for a final meal, reminiscing about the good old days and discussing the new memories forged over the weekend. By Sunday evening, most people had started their journey back home. However, the overall weekend experience was so powerful and enriching that the team decided that they would reunite every three years for another reunion. The preparations for the upcoming "MIU Soccer and Friends Reunion" happening May, 22nd – 24th, 2026 are already underway. 

Farewell on the MIU Soccer Field

MIU Alumni Office

alumni.miu.edu

Maharishi International University

641-200-1544

Contribute to the Annual Fund Visit our web page on Planned Giving