Lincoln - As the first pitch of the 2004 season is less than a month away, the Husker Home Run Club is sponsoring three events to give Husker baseball fans a chance to see the Husker baseball team in the coming weeks. From a preseason event in Omaha to the annual preseason banquet, to a trip to the Metrodome, the Home Run Club has events for fans of all ages prior to the home opener against Western Illinois on March 16.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, the organization is hosting a preseason banquet at the Lincoln Holiday Inn/Downtown (141 No. 9th Street), beginning at 5:30 p.m (with dinner and auction to follow). The banquet, which will raise money for the Husker Home Run Club, will by hosted by Pinnacle Sports Production's Jim Rose, the Voice of Husker Baseball. The evening will include dinner, a showing of the 2003 highlight film, as well as speeches by the Athletic Director Steve Pederson, Head Coach Mike Anderson and the 2004 Husker captains.
The event will also feature an auction featuring numerous items, including a 2004 Husker jersey, and other memorabilia. The cost of the banquet is $50 per person or $450 for a table of 10 and all proceeds from the event will go to the Husker Home Run Club, and their support of the Nebraska Baseball program. Invitations were sent to Home Run Club members and season ticket holders earlier this month, and seats are still available for this first-time event.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Husker coaches and members of the 2004 squad will travel to Omaha for the Husker baseball preview. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn (72nd Street and I-80) from 1 to 3 p.m. and is free to the public. The preview will feature a showing of the 2003 highlight video, an autograph session, a season outlook by the Husker coaching staff and door prizes. In addition, schedule cards, posters, snacks and booster club information will be available.
For fans who want to watch the Huskers face Minnesota and West Virginia at the Metrodome, the Husker Home Run Club is sponsoring a bus trip to Minneapolis. The trip takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, and includes ground transportation, three meals, game tickets and hotel accommodations. For more information and prices, contact Gene Eubanks (402) 488-1109 or Baseball Office Secretary Renee Brinkmann (402) 472-2269. Tickets are going fast, as the 2003 trip was sold out.
The Huskers enter the 2004 campaign ranked as high as 20th in the preseason polls, and return 17 letterwinners from a team that finished 47-18 and won the school's second Big 12 title in three years. NU brings back seven returning starters, including All-Big 12 honoree Curtis Ledbetter and Freshman All-American Alex Gordon, and nine pitchers, including All-Big 12 right-hander Quinton Robertson and Freshman All-Americans Brian Duensing and Tim Schoeninger. The 2004 season begins on Feb. 20, as the Huskers will take on Northwestern in the Alburquerque Baseball Fiesta.
For more information on either of these Home Run Club events, contact the Nebraska baseball office at (402) 472-2269 or log on to www.huskerhomerunclub.com.
Nebraska Baseball Banquet hosted by the Husker Home Run Club
Saturday, Feb. 7th
5:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn-Downtown Lincoln, 141 No. 9th Street
Omaha Preview Party
Saturday, Feb. 14th
1-3 p.m.
Omaha Holiday Inn (72nd Street and I-80)
Home Run Club Trip to Minneapolis
Saturday-Sunday, March 6th and 7th