Cal U will host the event on June 27 in memory of alumnus Dale Provins Jr., who was a Jefferson Hills police officer.
Four teams will play in a benefit softball tournament at Cal U on Sunday, June 27, in memory of a fallen police officer and alumnus.
Dale Provins, who graduated from Cal U in 2003, died in June 2020 of injuries suffered in a car accident while he was on duty. Provins was a 15-year veteran of the Jefferson Hills police force, and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
A team from Cal U, one from the Center for Fitness and Health in Belle Vernon, and two from the Pennsylvania State Police will play in the double-elimination tournament. Play begins at 12:45 p.m. Sunday at Roadman Park, on Cal U’s upper campus.
Proceeds will benefit the Dale Provins Memorial Scholarship at Cal U. Once the scholarship is endowed, it will be awarded to military veterans or active members of the armed services who are enrolled in a degree program related to criminal justice or law enforcement.
Mariah Provins ’13, ’16 will throw a ceremonial first pitch in memory of her father. Another ceremonial pitch — thrown by Alex Presley, a former outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates — will honor all members of the military and law enforcement.
Robert Prah ’06, ’10, director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Cal U, helped to organize the softball tournament. Provins and Prah both attended the Center for Fitness, which led to a conversation with Chad Vorderbrueggen ’07, ’09, the center’s fitness director.
“We organized the tournament as a way to honor Dale’s memory and also pay tribute to the sacrifices our alumni and students make as public servants,” Prah said.
“The Jefferson Hills police department is sending an officer and police car, and we’re pleased to have raised $1,500 for the scholarship. There are many Cal U connections, including a team of staff and alumni. It will be a very meaningful day.”
To make a donation to the scholarship fund, visit www.calu.edu/giving. Please include “Dale Provins Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the gift instructions. Gifts may be mailed to Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 668, California PA 15419.