'Go Beach' to Get Dirtbag Season Going
Former Univeristy President, Maxson, to Leadoff Dirtbag Season
October 8, 2007 PDF FLYER TO FILL OUT LONG BEACH--- Former Long Beach State President Dr. Robert Maxson will be the keynote speaker at the Dirtbags 16th Leadoff Dinner on January 24 at the Grand Hotel starting at 7 p.m. The annual alumni weekend will feature a shot-gun alumni golf tournament at Recreation Golf Course on January 25 starting at 11 a.m. and an old timers/alumni game on January 26 starting at 12 p.m. The weekend will end with the annual fundraiser at Acapulco Inn on Saturday night starting at 5 p.m. Unlike in previous years, there will be no Pro Alumni versus the current team on Saturday due to the season being moved back. There will continue to be an old timers game, in which the current professional players could be a part of.
Maxson spent 12 years at the school before retiring in January, 2006. During his tenure, from tennis, to the track, to the Walter Pyramid, to the soccer fields to Dirtbag Baseball, Maxson, along with his wife, Sylvia, showed their support for the athletics department by being at what seemed like, every athletic event. That enthusiasm spilled over to the students and the faculty. The Maxsons were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
The cost for the dinner will be $100, with the golf tournament, which usually is close to capacity at year, at $150. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at the golf tournament, as well as for player sponsorship.
The dinner usually returns a majority of the team's professional players. This past year, LBSU had 11 players in the Major Leagues and another two dozen in professional baseball.
To make a reservation, for the dinner, or to take part in sponsorship of the golf tournament, call (562) 985-4662.
Alumni and others can sign up for the golf tournament by calling Coach Mike Weathers at (562) 985-7548.
MORE ABOUT MAXSON
With the montra of "Go Beach" always close to his lips, under Maxson's leadership, Long Beach State established a program to actively recruit the most academically talented high school students in the state. Established by Maxson in 1995, the President's Scholars Program, recognized as the premier program of its kind in the state, was created to bring valedictorians and National Merit scholars from California high schools to the Long Beach State campus. President Maxson was named President of the Year three consecutive times by the student leaders of the 23 campus California State University system. President Maxson was been named ‘Man of the Year' by the National Conference of Christians and Jews and by the American Jewish Committee and he was awarded the prestigious Silver Lily Award by the Easter Seal Society for his humanitarian deeds.
FORMER LEADOFF DINNER SPEAKERS
This will be the 16th Leadoff Dinner kicking off the Long Beach State baseball season, which has featured past keynote speakers: Jered Weaver, Mike Gallo, Bobby Crosby, Jason Giambi, Dave Snow, Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Mike Scioscia, Tony Muser, Bill Russell, Bert Blyleven, and Terry Collins. |
