J.J. Furmaniak To Speak At Lewis First Pitch Banquet

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

ROMEOVILLE, Illinois - The Lewis baseball team will start the 2010 season in style by hosting the annual First Pitch Baseball Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at the University Dining Hall on the campus of Lewis University. The evening will be highlighted by guest speaker former Lewis All-American J.J. Furmaniak. The program will begin at 5 p.m. and include a full dinner complimented with a cash bar.


Furmaniak was an All-American with Lewis in 2000. He ranks 18th in career batting, hitting .369 and knocking in 127 runs. Furmaniak hit three home runs in a game against IPFW in 1998. He made his big league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005.

The program will also include a silent auction of various donated items as well as an opportunity to purchase official team apparel.

All proceeds from the banquet help offset the cost of the spring trip in Winter Haven, Fla. The cost to attend the banquet is $50.00 per person. Please RSVP by calling the baseball office at 815.836.5254 or by emailing head coach Tim McDonough at mcdonoti@lewisu.edu.

Northern Illinois Baseball Leadoff Banquet is January 24th, 2010

The Northern Illinois baseball program has set its annual "Leadoff Banquet" for Sunday, January 24 from 4-8 p.m. CT at White Eagle Golf Club, located at 3400 Club Drive in Naperville, Ill., featuring keynote speaker Glen Van Proyen, Special Assistant to the Chicago Cubs General Manager.

The "Leadoff Banquet" will begin with a social hour from 4-5:15 p.m., and dinner will start around 5:30 p.m. NIU head coach Ed Mathey will then honor the 2009 Huskie team with presentations of the Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, Top Newcomer, Top Dawg and Most Improved awards. Afterwards, Mathey will provide a preview of the rapidly approaching 2010 season.


Tickets are available for $60 by calling the Huskie Baseball Office at (815) 753-0147 by January 20, and include dinner, a cash bar, the guest of honor Glen Van Proyen and a silent auction that will be full of great memorabilia. All proceeds from the event will benefit the NIU baseball program.