Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Welcomes Back Girardi to Evanston
2/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 1, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
After much anticipation, Northwestern Baseball's "First Pitch Dinner" featuring Joe Girardi as the keynote speaker, went off without a hitch Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Norris University Center on the Northwestern University campus.
A group of around 200 guests including interim Director of Athletics and Recreation Bob Gundlach, senior athletic department staff members John Mack and Noreen Morris, the entire 2008 Wildcat Baseball squad, and supporters of NU baseball from near and far, were treated to a night of getting to know the 1986 McCormick School of Engineering graduate and current New York Yankees manager.
Early in the night Joe made it a point to shake hands and take pictures with many of the guest who gathered at the Norris University Center's Louis Room. After dinner was served, Joe was introduced to the group by Northwestern Head Baseball Coach Paul Stevens. In his brief introduction, Stevens recounted Joe's long list of accomplishments from being an All-American selection while at NU to winning three World Series championships and catching no-hitters in the Major Leagues.
When Joe stepped on stage he began his speech by saying that the most fun he had playing baseball came in his four years at NU. He spoke about the relationships and bonds that he formed with teammates and coaches, and focused on the meaning of being a student-athlete. Joe also talked at length about developing connections through getting to know the heart of those around you.
After his speech Joe answered any questions members of the audience could throw at him and was put on the spot at the end of the night when one of the youngest attendees asked him, "If you could manage the Cubs or the Yankees, who would you choose?" Ever the diplomat, Joe acknowledged the two organizations as the two best in baseball and said he loved being a part of both teams. Joe also took special time to autograph a ball for each and every person who purchased a ticket to the event.
Throughout the night, guests had an opportunity to make bids on silent auction items ranging from signed pictures of Joe, to a Ted Williams autographed ball, to ticket packages to Yankees games both here in Chicago and at Yankee Stadium. Those who took home auction items were Laid Koldyke, Larry Kalina, Lodi Vercelli, Paul Jolas, Tom Tuttle, Martin Koldyke, Steve Libman, Eric Mongentale and Kim Wise. Special thanks to Gary Morgan for donating the Ted Williams and Stan Musial autographed balls.
Northwestern Baseball would also like to thank Paul Jolas, The Koldyke Family, Joe Keenan, Mark Zimmer, Joe Perona, Tom Gaurnieri, Steve Libman, and Paul Jones for purchasing tickets for an entire table at the function. The event was made a success through the support of all the attendees. We would like to thank all those people who braved the cold to come to campus, and especially to Joe Girardi for taking time away from his family and out of his busy schedule to come back to Northwestern in support of the baseball program.
