The following message was shared with the Allegheny College community by Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Ross on Monday, June 16, remembering the loss of Ben Mourer '07:

Dear members of the Allegheny Community,

I am deeply saddened to share that Allegheny alumnus and the Gators' head cross country and track and field coach, Ben Mourer '07, passed away following a tragic accident at his home on Sunday.

At this difficult time, we extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Ben's family, including his wife, Kim, and two sons, Arthur and Henry, as well as his friends, colleagues, and both current and former student-athletes from the cross country and track and field teams.

A former Gator student-athlete, Ben returned to his alma mater to serve as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach in December of 2015. He was elevated to head track and field coach in June of 2022. Under his tutelage, the Gators won numerous titles in both the North Coast Athletic Conference and Presidents' Athletic Conference, while representing Allegheny at the NCAA Division III Championships on several occasions. He is a four-time NCAC Coach of the Year in cross country and earned five more awards in the past three years in the PAC. In 2022-23, Ben led the women's teams to a sweep of all three PAC championships in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track and field. At the most recent NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month, three of his track and field student-athletes were named All-Americans.

An incredibly successful student-athlete at Allegheny, Ben was a four-year Alden Scholar and a member of 12 conference championship teams. In 2006, he finished second in the NCAC men's cross country championship and helped the Gators earn their best-ever finish at the NCAA Championships, as the team placed third nationally. Ben was a six-time All-NCAC honoree in track and field and helped the Gators win the indoor and outdoor titles in each of his four seasons.

Originally from Chicora, Pennsylvania, Mourer was a standout runner at Karns City High School. As a senior, he helped Karns City capture the District IX cross country championship with a third-place individual finish.

Community members on campus who need immediate support can call Edinboro Counseling and Psychological Services for an appointment at 814-734-3975. Students can also use the TimelyCare telehealth app. Visit timelycare.com/allegheny to download the app and register with your school email. Community members may also reach out to Public Safety at 814-332-3357 to be connected to other resources.

Viewings will be held in Meadville on Thursday, June 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home (404 Chestnut Street) and in Chicora on Friday, June 20, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Hile Funeral Home (339 Chicora Fenelton Road). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 10:00 a.m. at the Chicora United Methodist Church (203 Central Avenue).

During this period of grief, I ask that we all come together to support one another and remember the positive impact Ben made on so many Allegheny students and our campus community.

Sincerely,

Bill Ross
Director of Athletics and Recreation