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Gopher Baseball Hosts Alumni Weekend
9/30/2019 10:56:00 AM | Baseball
This past weekend, the Minnesota Baseball program held its Alumni Weekend on campus. The weekend featured facility tours, the Dick Siebert Statue reveal, Pro Alumni Game and Gopher Golf Event. In attendance were 37 past and present professional alumni players, as well as over 100 additional former Gophers.
"To see players that played here on our first National Championship team in 1956 and all the way to players from last year's team connect with the current team is truly special," said head coach John Anderson. "Our current players were able to get a sense of the impact that the Gopher baseball experience has had on many of our alumni. I think when you do things like that, it really enhances the family aspect of our program and that's what we're really after. We want this to be a family and when you're part of a family, obviously the relationships mean something and you support each other."
The list of notable alumni in attendance included former MLB players such as Paul Molitor ('77), Jack Hannahan ('01), Dan Wilson ('90), Greg Olsen ('82), Robb Quinlan ('99), JT Bruett ('88), Tim McIntosh ('86), Brian Raabe ('90), George Thomas ('57) and DJ Snelten ('13). There were also a handful of current pros at the event: Terrin Vavra ('18), Micah Coffey ('18), Brian Glowicki ('17), Jordan Jess ('16) and Dan Motl ('16).
All members of the Minnesota Baseball alumni base were invited for a tour of the new Athletes Village facility on Friday afternoon. Thereafter, the gates opened up at Siebert Field for the program's 20th Pro Alumni Game.
At 5:30pm on Friday, the grand unveiling of the Dick Siebert Statue took place inside the entrance to Siebert Field, honoring the Gophers' long-time legendary coach. Following an 11-year Major League career, Siebert returned to his alma mater in 1948 and went on to head the Gopher Baseball program for three decades to follow. Over his 31 years at the helm, Siebert compiled a 754-361-6 record, winning three NCAA Titles and appearing at the College World Series five times.
Six members from the Golden Era of Minnesota Baseball (1956-64) helped unveil the statue: Gene Rasmussen, George Thomas, Jim Rantz, Mike Mulligan, Bill Davis and Jon Andresen. As former Minnesota players from the Golden Era, these Gopher greats were each a member of one of three National Championship teams that graced the U during that period ('56, '60, '64). Two members of the 1977 College World Series team, Molitor and Tim Loberg ('77), were also present for the entirety of Friday's festivities.
Following the unveiling and pre-game introductions, the former pros and Gopher players took the field for the start of the Pro Alumni Game. Friday evening's game marked a historical event, as Anderson and former Minnesota assistant coach Rob Fornasiere faced off for the first time since 1983. Anderson served as manager for the Minnesota players, while Fornasiere managed the Pro Alumni squad. The two teams battled it out for the remainder of the night, with several notable performances highlighting the evening. In the end, the Gopher players came out on top, 4-1, claiming their eighth consecutive Pro Alumni Game victory.
Former Major Leaguers Raabe and Wilson both recorded an official at bat. Raabe also took the field at the same time as his son, Zack Raabe, who is currently a sophomore on the team.
Motl drove in the only run for the Pro Alumni team, doing so in the form of a solo homer. Hannahan contributed a double, while Quinlan, the owner of seven all-time offensive Gopher records, smacked a single.
Seth Rosin ('10), who pitched parts of two seasons with the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies, threw several innings for the Pro Alumni team and recorded a strikeout.
Cole DeVries ('06) also pitched a few innings for the Pro Alumni team on the mound. DeVries appeared in parts of two seasons with the Minnesota Twins from 2012-13.
For the Gopher players, catchers Riley Swenson and Chase Stanke each doubled and senior utilityman Jordan Kozicky laced a two-bagger of his own.
On Saturday, the festivities continued with a Gopher Golf Event and Alumni Social Hour. The turn-out for each event was an overwhelming success, and the Minnesota coaching staff expressed their pleasure with the outcome of Alumni Weekend following it's conclusion.
"Alumni Weekend turned out just the way we anticipated: an opportunity to connect many, many generations of Gopher baseball players here," said Anderson.
With Alumni Weekend in the rearview, Minnesota's Fall Classic Series is set to continue this upcoming weekend, when the Gophers host South Dakota State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1pm.
"To see players that played here on our first National Championship team in 1956 and all the way to players from last year's team connect with the current team is truly special," said head coach John Anderson. "Our current players were able to get a sense of the impact that the Gopher baseball experience has had on many of our alumni. I think when you do things like that, it really enhances the family aspect of our program and that's what we're really after. We want this to be a family and when you're part of a family, obviously the relationships mean something and you support each other."
The list of notable alumni in attendance included former MLB players such as Paul Molitor ('77), Jack Hannahan ('01), Dan Wilson ('90), Greg Olsen ('82), Robb Quinlan ('99), JT Bruett ('88), Tim McIntosh ('86), Brian Raabe ('90), George Thomas ('57) and DJ Snelten ('13). There were also a handful of current pros at the event: Terrin Vavra ('18), Micah Coffey ('18), Brian Glowicki ('17), Jordan Jess ('16) and Dan Motl ('16).
All members of the Minnesota Baseball alumni base were invited for a tour of the new Athletes Village facility on Friday afternoon. Thereafter, the gates opened up at Siebert Field for the program's 20th Pro Alumni Game.
At 5:30pm on Friday, the grand unveiling of the Dick Siebert Statue took place inside the entrance to Siebert Field, honoring the Gophers' long-time legendary coach. Following an 11-year Major League career, Siebert returned to his alma mater in 1948 and went on to head the Gopher Baseball program for three decades to follow. Over his 31 years at the helm, Siebert compiled a 754-361-6 record, winning three NCAA Titles and appearing at the College World Series five times.
Six members from the Golden Era of Minnesota Baseball (1956-64) helped unveil the statue: Gene Rasmussen, George Thomas, Jim Rantz, Mike Mulligan, Bill Davis and Jon Andresen. As former Minnesota players from the Golden Era, these Gopher greats were each a member of one of three National Championship teams that graced the U during that period ('56, '60, '64). Two members of the 1977 College World Series team, Molitor and Tim Loberg ('77), were also present for the entirety of Friday's festivities.
Following the unveiling and pre-game introductions, the former pros and Gopher players took the field for the start of the Pro Alumni Game. Friday evening's game marked a historical event, as Anderson and former Minnesota assistant coach Rob Fornasiere faced off for the first time since 1983. Anderson served as manager for the Minnesota players, while Fornasiere managed the Pro Alumni squad. The two teams battled it out for the remainder of the night, with several notable performances highlighting the evening. In the end, the Gopher players came out on top, 4-1, claiming their eighth consecutive Pro Alumni Game victory.
Former Major Leaguers Raabe and Wilson both recorded an official at bat. Raabe also took the field at the same time as his son, Zack Raabe, who is currently a sophomore on the team.
Motl drove in the only run for the Pro Alumni team, doing so in the form of a solo homer. Hannahan contributed a double, while Quinlan, the owner of seven all-time offensive Gopher records, smacked a single.
Seth Rosin ('10), who pitched parts of two seasons with the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies, threw several innings for the Pro Alumni team and recorded a strikeout.
Had so much fun at the @GopherBaseball Pro-Alumni game. Wonderful seeing all the former teammates, guys I looked up to, and current players all on one field! Also had the chance to see my picture in the Visitors' Dugout. Perfect Day! #SkiUMah #gophers pic.twitter.com/XztWHXoUUG
— Seth Daniel Rosin (@SethDanielRosin) September 28, 2019
Still punching tickets ! 🧀🔥@SethDanielRosin @GopherBaseball #ProAlumniGame pic.twitter.com/1yZc2Co4JX
— mark (@mahoganyguy) September 27, 2019
Cole DeVries ('06) also pitched a few innings for the Pro Alumni team on the mound. DeVries appeared in parts of two seasons with the Minnesota Twins from 2012-13.
For the Gopher players, catchers Riley Swenson and Chase Stanke each doubled and senior utilityman Jordan Kozicky laced a two-bagger of his own.
On Saturday, the festivities continued with a Gopher Golf Event and Alumni Social Hour. The turn-out for each event was an overwhelming success, and the Minnesota coaching staff expressed their pleasure with the outcome of Alumni Weekend following it's conclusion.
"Alumni Weekend turned out just the way we anticipated: an opportunity to connect many, many generations of Gopher baseball players here," said Anderson.
With Alumni Weekend in the rearview, Minnesota's Fall Classic Series is set to continue this upcoming weekend, when the Gophers host South Dakota State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1pm.
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