The new Titan Touchdown Club is building pride for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh football program. Less than a year old, the club already has made significant strides – including growing its membership to more than 100.

Last night, several members of the club attended a UW Oshkosh alumni reception at Lambeau Field in Green Bay to help promote the club.

John Morelli, ’87, helped form the club by modeling it after similar organizations at other universities, such as UW-Madison and UW-LaCrosse.

“Football is a sport that costs more to run per athlete than others,” he said. “So by forming this club, we can raise awareness and funds to help support the program.”

The club has had a busy first year, including hosting Fifth Quarter receptions after nearly every home game and recognizing several major UW Oshkosh football supporters as honorary captains. Members also recognized three UW Oshkosh alumni who have coached Wisconsin high school teams to division championships — Steve Jorgensen, ’85, John Koronkiewicz, ‘76, and Tom Taraska, ‘75.

Many of the members are UW Oshkosh alumni, and many of those played football. But neither is a prerequisite for membership, Morelli said. “Anyone who likes football and supports the program can become a member.”

Coach Pat Cerroni, MS ’04, who last year guided the Titans to a 7-3 record and a third-place finish in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), said the Titan Touchdown Club is a valuable addition to the football program.

“We have earned respect within the conference the past eight seasons,” said Cerroni. “This club is one more way we can build on that respect and take the program to the next level. It’s all about reconnecting with alumni and building a tradition of pride.”

For more information, e-mail Morelli at johnm@heidmusic.com.