Philadelphia University and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference are hosting a free community-engagement event April 16 called “A Night Out with the Philadelphia Four.” 

The event at Philadelphia U.’s Gallagher Athletic Center is co-sponsored by the CACC and the four Philadelphia-area NCAA Division II institutions: Philadelphia University, Chestnut Hill College, Holy Family University and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot (the Philly Phanatic) will make an appearance, and free food and T-shirt giveaways highlight the evening along with performances from local organizations, including the Coyle School of Irish Dance, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital wheelchair basketball, Drums with Attitude, and the Philadelphia University Cheerleaders and Ramettes.

The event will be held in conjunction with the NCAA Division II Community Engagement Workshop earlier that day in Philadelphia. The workshop is a day-long collection of instructional sessions and presentations that help Division II athletics leaders engage their communities and stage lively and entertaining game environments at their institutions’ athletics contests.

Featured speakers include Division II Presidents Council Chair and Metropolitan State President Stephen Jordan; New Haven Athletics Director and former Management Council Chair Debbie Chin; consultants Rich Luker, Darren Treasure and Jill Willson; and Creative Street Media Group President Steve Katzenberger.

In addition, athletics directors Sue Willey of Indianapolis, David Riggins of Mars Hill, Clyde Doughty of New York Institute of Technology, Ed Matejkovic of West Chester and Larry Holstad of Winona State will lead panel discussions about game environment. Presidents Phil Gerbino of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Stephen Spinelli of Philadelphia University also will participate.

This is the fifth annual version of the community-engagement workshop. Previous sessions have been in Charlotte, Boston, Denver and Kansas City.