Marauders Day of Giving: The Reckert Family's path to Millersville comes full circle
2/26/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
Remember where you came from, how you got to where you are today...We want to raise the bar and give some of these kids a chance to compete.Pete Reckert '86
Pete Reckert wasn’t supposed to be a golfer at Millersville, but there he stood, braving the bitter winter winds on the lower concourse of Biemesderfer Stadium, hitting golf balls off mats into a drop cloth to prepare for the coming spring season.
Little about Pete’s four years at Millersville went as he expected, but it could not have gone much more perfectly. As a sophomore, he crossed paths with Michelle, now his wife of 37 years. They are proud parents of two former Division I soccer players, tremendously successful entrepreneurs utilizing the skills learned from their respective degrees, and now, are founders of the Millersville golf program’s first quasi-endowment to elevate competitive performance.
The Reckerts time at Millersville paved life’s path even though it started with a detour. Pete arrived in 1982, fully intending to play basketball under longtime coach Dick DeHart, but after 26 years at the helm, DeHart retired, and Pete was cut loose by the interim coach. So, Pete turned his attention to a sport he had not played in high school because there was no high school team for him. Pete grew up golfing, though, winning a club championship as a high school student. DeHart discovered this and connected Pete with Millersville golf coach Dalton Smart. Pete and his father played a single round with Smart and his son, and those 18 holes led to Pete playing four seasons and becoming the team’s low scorer in 1985 and 1986. His scoring average set in 1985 stood as a school record until 1990. The team in 1985 posted a 10-0 record against PSAC opponents.
“We weren’t a scholarship-giving organization at the time,” said Pete. “Division II golf was not a big popular thing. But we worked at it, had fun and were pretty good.”
Pete was an athlete and business administration major from Unionville. Michelle, who graduated from Lower Dauphin High School, majored in art. Michelle’s friend had a brother living near Pete in the no-longer-standing Burrowes high rise. One day, Michelle accompanied her friend on a walk to Burrowes for a visit. One place, one moment in time, and chance meeting resulted in immediate connection. The couple became engaged before Michelle graduated in 1987, got married and moved to North Carolina.
Pete landed with RR Donnelly, the largest printing company in North America, working his way to executive vice president of sales. In 2007, he and a business partner started TCG Legacy Printing and Packing, focusing primarily in healthcare. Meanwhile, Michelle used her art degree as an interior designer, initially working for a firm in Cary, N.C., before becoming a freelance designer as their daughters, Paige and Hope, competitively excelled in youth sports. Pete eventually sold the business into private equity, but continued to manage and lead, and after growing and building financial success, he sold again and retired from MedLit Solutions in 2025. No longer going to work at 7 a.m., and returning home at 7 p.m., Pete and Michelle now focus on being grandparents and their philanthropic efforts.
The memories of time together on campus, walks past the pond, early-morning van trips with golf teammates and the places Pete and Michelle’s respective educations took them make Millersville a foundational part of their lives.
“We moved to North Carolina and lost that direct tie-in to Millersville, but we’ve stayed in touch with great friends from the golf team that I’ve had these last 30-40 years,” said Pete. “At Millersville, we fell in love, and getting married, having kids with another generation coming along, we are proud to give it back to where it came from—back to where it started…I grew up in a family that it was important to give back. Our next generation is taken care of so we can give to the things that are near and dear to us, and Millersville is near and dear.”
Pete is still in touch with teammates like Steve Butterbaugh and Chris Hentschl, and it was in those first days with the team that he met Scott Vandegrift, a young local golf pro. Vandegrift assisted the golfers in his spare time before becoming the programs’ head coach for the 1985-86 season. Four decades later, Vandegrift still leads a program that has won five PSAC Championships and made 18 NCAA regional appearances while also starting the women’s golf program from the ground level. Pete and Vandegrift spent just one full season together, but Vandegrift continues to inspire.
“We were just a bunch of guys hanging out, hitting balls under Biemesderfer, and Scotty took over this program,” said Pete. “There was no prayer of a women’s golf team when we were there. But one of the reasons why we are giving is because of what Scotty has done. His dedication and his willingness to give back is pretty special. He’s put his money right back into the program. It’s nice to see we are winning because of the dedication he has put into it. That’s pretty special.”
To Pete, golf is more than a hobby. It’s been an integral part of his life. He attended Millersville hoping to sink shots on the Pucillo Gymnasium hardwood, but he found himself sinking putts on the greens of Conestoga Country Club. Through that change, he met his wife, built a loving family, and the skills and lessons from the golf course helped him excel in business and eventually build his own.
“If you have the skill set and understand the game, golf is a tool that will be with you forever,” said Pete. “You can bridge generations with it. As long as I can walk, I’ll be swinging a golf club.”
Pete and Michelle know first-hand the challenges and opportunities that come from being a student-athlete. They fondly trace the life they’ve built together back to Burrowes Hall. Now, reflecting on their blessings, the Reckerts hope to help other Millersville students achieve the same.
“Remember where you came from, how you got to where you are today, and if the University and the participation in the golf program was instrumental in who you are and where you are, it’s critical to give back to it,” said Pete. “Give somebody else a chance. The University has always kept in touch with us, and it feels pretty good right now, sitting here, having met the next generation of student-athletes, that we’ll pass this along for somebody to have the ability to play golf at Millersville University…We want to raise the bar and give some of these kids a chance to compete.”
To contribute and grow the endowment for the golf programs, visit the Marauders Day of Giving site and direct your gift to “Reckert Endowment.”
