SHSU, UH to play for Don Sanders Cup in 2017
9/23/2016 1:47:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State baseball and the University of Houston will play three games against one another, competing for the inaugural Don Sanders Cup beginning during the 2017 season.
Sanders, a Houston philanthropist and Sam Houston alumnus who has made contributions to both universities, is the namesake of the Bearkat baseball home, Don Sanders Stadium, and donated $1 million to establish an endowment fund to enhance the baseball program.
“Don Sanders means so much to this university,” head coach Matt Deggs said. “What a story, life and legacy. He's done a lot not only for Sam Houston State but him and Bret Sanders have done a lot for both universities. For Todd (Whitting) and his program to come together with us and put something on the line and play three times does nothing but benefit both schools greatly.”
The squads will play at Sugar Land's Constellation Field, home of the minor league Skeeters and the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament, on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. The Bearkats visit Houston on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. and close out the set by hosting the Cougars on May 2 at 6:30 p.m.
“Todd and I both thought it was important to have a neutral site game,” Deggs said. “If we're going to play two out of three and something is on the line, we thought it was important. The Skeeters organization was good enough to open their venue. It's a beautiful park and great setting. I am sure both fan bases will pack it out.”
Sanders is founder and chairman of the investment firm Sanders Morris Harris. He is a former owner of the Houston Sports Association and the Houston Astros Baseball Club and currently, along with Nolan Ryan, is co-owner of Ryan-Sanders Baseball. Ryan-Sanders Baseball owns the Texas Rangers' Class AAA Round Rock Express and the Astros' Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks.
Sanders is a leading figure in Houston in a variety of civic, corporate and financial enterprises. He was the founder and chairman of the Houston Police Foundation and was a member of the University of Houston System Board of Regents and Houston Police Pension System.
In 2017, Sam Houston will play 34 home games highlighted by a first-ever visit from Texas to Don Sanders Stadium and a three-game series against perennial power Louisiana.
“Both Todd and I looked at it and we understand the landscape of college baseball,” Deggs said. “What Houston has done over there is remarkable. They have put together a consistent top-25 program. For us to get together and play each other three times does nothing but benefit both programs from an RPI standpoint and from a fan standpoint. Geographically, it makes for a natural rivalry.”
The Kats are coming off a historic season that saw the program earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Lafayette Regional while winning both the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championship for the first time in the same season.
The Bearkats return 21 players and welcome in 10 freshmen to the mix. The squad has reached NCAA Regional play seven times in the past 10 years and is seeking a first ever NCAA Super Regionals and NCAA College World Series appearance.
