BABSON PARK, Mass.—The members of Babson College's first national championship team will be celebrated during the 50-year anniversary of their crowning achievement over Back to Babson weekend, as the men's soccer program captured the school's inaugural title in 1975.
 
"We're truly excited to welcome back some of our most distinguished and revered alumni," said Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement Mike Lynch. "What that remarkable group accomplished 50 years ago helped elevate Babson and our athletics program onto the national stage. This weekend, we proudly celebrate and honor their enduring legacy and the many contributions they've made to this great institution."
 
The festivities will kick off on Friday night at the Babson Executive Conference Center, where multiple varsity programs will be recognized at the milestone athletics event. In addition to men's soccer celebrating 50 years as a national champion and 70 years as a program, women's volleyball is being honored for 50 years, as is women's cross country and women's swimming & diving for 40 years each. Babson men's basketball's Stephen Brennan is celebrating 30 years as a head coach.
 
On Saturday, there will be two recognitions during pregame and halftime of the 1 p.m. New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match against Clark University. Prior to the start of the contest, Lisa and John Rogol '77 will be honored for their incredible generosity in launching a student manager endowment fund that will have a lasting impact on men's soccer student managers for years to come. John served as a student manager for men's soccer during his undergraduate years.
 
At halftime, members of the 1975 national championship team will be brought onto Hartwell-Rogers Field for a special ceremony. Led by legendary head coach Bob Hartwell and assisted by Bill Rogers '73, the 1975 squad completed the only unbeaten season in program history at 17-0-1. The Beavers blanked powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan in the semifinals and defending national champion Brockport in the title game.
 
That team featured six future members of the Babson Athletics Hall of Fame, including current head coach Jon Anderson '75, who has been at the helm of the program for the last 40 years. With nearly 500 wins, ranking second among active Division III head coaches and 13th all time, Anderson leads this year's Beavers team into Saturday's game with a 5-4-2 overall mark and 1-0 record in league play.