October 21, 2008

VCU BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTS SIX NEW MEMBERS
Alumni, fans and former coaches gather on a magical evening

The event seems to get better and better with each coming year as former players, coaches and fans gather for a special day that includes golf, a cocktail reception and a dinner.

The 2008 edition of the VCU Baseball Hall of Fame Golf outing was no different as a sun-filled day on the golf course at the Dominion Club turned into a magical evening as six new members were inducted into the VCU Baseball Hall of Fame.

“It really was just a special, special day for this program,” Head Coach Paul Keyes said. “To have Mrs. Allen [wife of former head coach Ed Allen] and Guz [former head coach Tony Guzzo], along with all the great players, it really was a night that I think everyone will remember.”

The weather could not have been better for the afternoon filled with golf as over 100 fans, former players and coaches teed it up.

Old friends, teammates and fans were able to catch up, tell old stories and reminisce about the good old days through a two-hour cocktail reception at the Dominion Club.

After dinner, the six new members of the VCU Baseball Hall of Fame were introduced, starting appropriately with the man who got the VCU Baseball program up and running in Ed Allen.

Allen served the VCU community as Athletic Director, Basketball Coach, Baseball and any other title as the dedicated and passionate sports fan never stopped rooting for his beloved Rams.

Former players that were honored during the evening were powerful right-hander Bob Luttrell from the 1960s, slick-fielding Mark Coates from the 1970s, the talented southpaw Matt Williams from the 1990s and the side-winding reliever, Cla Meredith from the 2000s.

The night was capped off by a speech that no one will forget as former head coach Tony Guzzo captivated the room with countless stories about the past, including how hard he pushed his first Rams squad in 1983, no matter where they practiced.

The event not only brings alumni and fans back together, but also benefits the VCU Baseball program as nearly $15,000 was raised as the Rams continue to build for success in the future.