UNIVERSITY CENTER -- The Saginaw Valley State University Baseball team will host its second annual Cardinals Baseball Leadoff Luncheon, which will take place this upcoming Saturday, Feb. 8. With opening day right around the corner, we ask you to join us in gearing-up for the 2020 season.
The luncheon will be held in the Ryder Center's East Arena and will begin at 11:45 a.m. with a free autograph session and social time with the team, followed by a lunch, raffle and program at 12:30 p.m. There will be a special guest speaker and raffle / door prizes will be included as well, ranging from team autographed baseballs, SVSU Baseball apparel and gift certificates. Following the program, there will be a presentation of the 2020 SVSU Baseball players and coaches.
Saturday's speaker will be SVSU alum Justin Garcia, who played for the baseball program from 1998-2002. He helped lead Saginaw Valley to back-to-back GLIAC championships in the 2000 and 2001 seasons and was part of the program's first berth into the NCAA Regional Tournament. During his tenure, SVSU made three regional appearances (2000, 2001, 2002). Garcia capped-off his career by being named the SVSU Ryder Male Athlete of the Year for the 2001-2002 campaign. Justin served on staff as an assistant coach from 2015-2018 as well, working with the infielders and hitters.
Prior to joining the SVSU coaching staff, Garcia was an assistant coach for 11 years at his alma mater, Bay City Western High School, under Hall of Fame coach Tim McDonald. During his time at Bay City Western, the team compiled a 325-100-5 record, won four Saginaw Valley League titles, four district and regional championships, was a four time state semi-finalist, and won two state titles (2013 and 2014). The Warriors were the first ever repeat state champion in division one in the 43 year history of MHSAA tournament play.
"This is a great event that gets our players, coaches, families and fans excited for the upcoming season," said head coach Steve Jaksa. "We invite everybody to attend the luncheon and see this as a way to help forge a solid relationship with our community to increase the support of our program and our student-athletes."
The cost to attend will be $10.00 at the door, which includes lunch and the entire program. For any media planning on attending, please contact head coach Steve Jaksa at spjaksa@svsu.edu.
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