Buck Showalter featured at baseball banquet Saturday Feb. 7
2/5/2009 1:00:00 AM | Baseball
ESPN baseball analyst and former major league manager Buck Showalter will be the featured guest at the third annual Sam Houston State baseball “Meet the Players Banquet" to be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Lowman Student Center.
Showalter, who totaled 882 victories as a manager, earned American League “Manager of the Year” in 1994 and 2004. He managed the New York Yankees (1992-95), the Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000) and the Texas Rangers (2003-06). An All-American at Mississippi State, Showalter was drafted by New York and played seven years in the Yankees organization before becoming a coach.
Doors open for the banquet at 5:45 p.m. with silent and live auctions and cash bar. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Business attire is preferred. Tickets are $400 for a table with nine guests, $100 per couple, or $75 per guest.
Both the live and silent auctions will feature quality items. Following the introduction of the 2009 baseball team by Bearkat head coach Mark Johnson, Showalter will present an entertaining program.
Sam Houston State has earned berths in the NCAA Division I regional playoffs each of the past two seasons by winning the Southland Conference tournament championship. The Bearkats are looking for another successful season when baseball opens in February.
“Our first two banquets have been tremendous successes and, with quality guest like Buck Showalter, our third will be just as much fun,” Johnson said. “The evening will feature exciting and entertaining opportunities for each person attending to become involved with our silent and live auctions. There will be a chance for everyone to leave with a special remembrance of the evening.”
Reservations are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The first two Bearkat baseball "Meet the Players Banquets" featuring Nolan Ryan in 2007 and Hunter Pence and Jackie Moore in 2008 have been sellouts .
Reservations can be secured by contacting Rhonda Curry in the SHSU athletic department by telephone (936) 294-4205, e-mail at rcurry@shsu.edu or by mail at SHSU Athletics, Attn: Rhonda Curry, Box 2268, Huntsville, TX 77341. Reservations can only be confirmed with full payment.
“This will be a fun evening with good food and fellowship,” Johnson said. “We hope area baseball fans will join us. This is our major fundraiser so we are excited not only because of the event but also because it will allow Bearkat baseball to move forward.”
