This year's event will look a little differently as everything will be conducted virtually on Saturday, January 30th beginning at 7 p.m. Former Blue Devil football and baseball player Nathan Whitaker will serve as the event's keynote speaker.
"The first pitch banquet is truly one of the most special nights of the year for the Duke Baseball program," head coach Chris Pollard said. "It's the day that all the stakeholders for this program come together to celebrate the start of another season. As we head into the 2021 campaign there is much to be excited about. I am hoping that this year's virtual format will allow for some folks that have not been able to join us in person in the past to experience this great event.
"I am so appreciative to Nathan for agreeing to be this year's keynote speaker. He has accomplished so much in the world of athletics and he is an amazing author and motivational speaker. We have been blessed to have Nathan address our team on multiple occasions over the last few years. I can promise his message will be terrific and very much on point."
The First Pitch Banquet signifies the start of the college baseball season, giving fans the opportunity to meet the 2021 Blue Devils and preview the upcoming season. Tickets to the virtual event and additional information will be made available at a later date. Duke baseball alumni and their families are invited to join free of charge.
Following the event, Duke will kick off its 2021 First Pitch Auction, which features many items up for bid. Items include Duke baseball gear such as official hats and jerseys, as well as autographed baseballs.
NATHAN WHITAKER
Nathan Whitaker (1987-91), a New York Times bestselling author, was a two-sport athlete at Duke lettering in both baseball and football during his time in Durham. He played for Steve Spurrier on Duke's most recent ACC Championship football team and graduated cum laude with a degree in English and political science.
Following his graduation from Duke, Whitaker attended and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1994. He then began his professional career, spending time as a law clerk for William Terrell Hodges, a United States District Judge, before practicing general business litigation and employment law with Smith, Helms, Mulliss & Moore, LLP in Greensboro, N.C.
In 1998, Whitaker left the firm to join the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was responsible for the club's football operations and budgeting. He also worked with the salary cap and player contract negotiations. After a two-year stint with the Jaguars, Whitaker transitioned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he worked alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dungy.
A few years later, Whitaker embarked on a three-year journey to write a book. During that time, he was the Director of Community at Van Dyke United Methodist Church in Lutz, Fla., before founding Whitaker Partners, LLC with his father. Whitaker Partners, LLC is a firm that specializes in the representation of coaches and front office personnel.
In July 2007, he finally released his first book "Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy's memoir". Since its release, it has become one of the best-selling hardcover sports autobiographies ever and has over a million and half copies in print. Whitaker has also co-authored Uncommon, The Mentor Leader, You Can Do It!, Through My Eyes with Tim Tebow, Role of a Lifetime with James Brown, and others.
#GoDuke
"first" - Google News
December 19, 2020 at 06:26AM
https://ift.tt/3aoXX4p
Ninth Annual First Pitch Banquet Set for Jan. 30 - Duke University - GoDuke.com
"first" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QqCv4E
https://ift.tt/3bWWEYd
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Ninth Annual First Pitch Banquet Set for Jan. 30 - Duke University - GoDuke.com"
Post a Comment