Oct. 7, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Homecoming weekend at Illinois State always brings back a unique mix of alumni back to campus. ISU baseball head coach Jim Brownlee has counted on this fact for the last three years and asked former baseball alumni to come back and participate in Alumni Day games at Redbird Field on Homecoming. This year will be no different, as the Redbirds will welcome back former players for the fourth annual Alumni Day game beginning Saturday at 10 a.m.
The alumni weekend festivities actually began today with a golf outing at the El Paso Country Club. Brownlee believes adding this outing to the weekend will bring back more of the older players who do not want to play in the alumni game itself.
"We added the golf outing this year to bring out some of the older players and give them a chance to catch up and reconnect with the program," said Brownlee. "If the outing goes well, it's something we hope to continue in the future in addition to the game on Saturday."
The game itself will allow the baseball alumni to face off against the 2005-06 squad and also reacquaint them to the baseball program at ISU. Brownlee is convinced that bringing back the alumni is crucial to the future success of the program.
"The game gives the alumni a chance to renew old acquaintances, but at the same time update them as to what the program is doing and how we have improved," said Brownlee. "Having 450 plus members in the Dugout Club is a direct link to having our alumni get involved with the program again. This game is just one way to do that."
One notable alumni missing from this year's game will be that of former Redbird ace Neal Cotts. Instead, Cotts could be pitching out of the bullpen for the Chicago White Sox against the Boston Red Sox in a possible game four of the American League Divisional Series in Boston. However, several other alumni will be at the alumni game Saturday and will be ready to take it to the current `Birds.
"The alumni games have been extremely competitive in the past and have always been fun to watch," said Brownlee. "The alumni get out there and become kids again and really test themselves against the current players."
The alumni game will put an end to the fall 2005 workouts and games for the Redbirds. The `Birds will begin their spring 2006 season at the Texas-Arlington Tournament from February 17-19 in Arlington, Texas.
