The preseason dinner has become a popular trend around college baseball. Many teams use the event, set a few weeks before the start of the season, to draw interest toward their program with a big name guest. Teams also use the event as a fundraiser, season ticket sales generator or both.
Here is a quick sampling of schools with preseason dinners this year along with their guests:
Baylor: Former Baylor and current Texas Rangers pitcher Jason Jennings.
Boston College: Boston Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino.
Cal St. Fullerton: LA Angels of Anaheim broadcaster Jose Mota, who played for the Titans' 1984 National Championship team.
Georgia Tech: Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francour.
Illinois: Former Major League All-Star pitcher Andy Benes.
Iowa: Major League Umpire Tim McClelland.
LSU: Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.
Louisville: New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Michigan State: Former Spartan and MLB great Steve Garvey.
Mississippi State: First year Bulldog head coach John Cohen.
North Carolina: Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
NC State: Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.
Notre Dame: Former Irish pitcher and wide receiver and current Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija and Angels Manager Mike Scioscia.
Oklahoma: 1989 Big 8 Player of the Year (at OU) and former big leaguer Darron Cox.
St. John's: Former New York Mets All-Star and St. John's alum John Franco.
Tennessee: UT alum and former MLB player and manager Phil Garner.
Virginia: Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
Virginia Tech: Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer.
If you know of any we missed let us know, and we'll add it to the list. Just email us at: sean@collegebaseball360.com.
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