Celebrating 25 Years of FAU's Baseball Program
Plans for a state-of-the-art stadium and kick-off celebrity dinner event

Over the years Florida Atlantic University has opened doors to many new programs and departments, allowing university standards to soar into the new millennium. One such distinguished program is the FAU baseball team, which enters the 2005 season celebrating 25 years of team successes and player achievements.

To be the best, one must test the limits to achieve the highest goals. The FAU baseball team has done just that, with a long-standing tradition of accomplishments by winning the NAIA District Championship, NCAA Regional Championship two-regular season Atlantic Sun Conference Championships and one A-Sun Conference Tournament Championship. In addition to these team accomplishments, 69 FAU players have signed professional baseball contracts.

In an effort to further secure the long standing tradition of fulfilled dreams and successful winning season in the sports arena, Florida Atlantic University plans to construct a state-of-the-art baseball stadium equipped with 2,600 chairback seats and additional berm seating. The new facility will outweight any stadium the state has to offer, with multi-level offices and sky boxes.

A kick-off dinner event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the baseball program and to begin funding efforts for the new stadium has been scheduled for Saturday, February 26, 2005, at the FAU Gymnasium on the Boca Raton Campus, located at 777 Glades Road. A major highlight of the evening will be the announcement of a new FAU Baseball Hall of Fame and notification of the inaugural class. The event will be a tribute to the players and the staff for their distinguished efforts, and will include the introduction of a seat sponsorship program, offering students, alumni and university sponsors the opportunity to show their support for all posterity, and showcasing a rendering of the new stadium.

"The 25th Anniversary Dinner gives us the chance to celebrate the successes of FAU Baseball and articulate the plans for the future of the program," states Kevin Cooney, Florida Atlantic University Head Baseball Coach. "The construction of a state-of-the-art facility will provide our community and the University the finest venue in the nation to watch college baseball."

Coach Cooney is in his 18th season as head coach at FAU and 22nd overall. Before claiming the head coach position at FAU, Cooney went 21-11 on the mound in his minor-league career, became a member of the Montclair State Hall of Fame and was a 1972 draft pick of the Minnesota Twins until suffering a shoulder injury that ended his playing career.

Cooney has always been a kid at heart and tells his players to stay young as long as they can. His warmhearted nature and talented coaching skills have made him a leader within the coaching world. Cooney admits a deep attachment to his players saying, "I hurt for them when they suffer. And I'm happy for them when they do well."

Celebrity guests, including Dontrelle Willis and Juan Pierre of the Florida Marlins, and former Major League player Tommy Hutton, will be available for interviews at the evening Anniversary Event. Hutton, television broadcast analyst for the Florida Marlins, has agreed to emcee the events of the evening. Cocktail hour begins at 6:30 pm followed by dinner at 7:30 pm. A silent auction of sports memorabilia will be open throughout the early evening. Tickets are priced at $150 per person, with celebrity head tables available priced at $5,000 and $10,000 which include a special private cocktail hour.

Regarding his players Cooney says, "Our team has worked hard to prepare for this, the 25th season of Florida Atlantic Baseball. We expect another outstanding season as we continue our pursuit of a trip to Omaha and the College World Series." In the tradition of FAU coaching, Cooney strives to infuse teamwork with ambition and takes each student-athlete under his wing, serving as their home away from home. The family-oriented mentality provokes teamwork, while teaching each athlete to strive beyond even their original goals I order to be the very best. This level of support is what puts the FAU baseball program in a league of their own and on "The Road to Omaha."

For more information contact Aileen Izquierdo at (561) 297-2442

Maybe they can get Carlos Delgado to attend as well! ;)