Coaches Luncheon to Kick off 2014 Season on April 1
March 11, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 11, 2014) - The Winston-Salem Dash will host their fifth-annual Coaches Luncheon on Tuesday, April 1, just two days shy of Opening Day. This event, which will take place at noon inside the Womble Carlyle Club at BB&T Ballpark, will be the first public appearance for the 2014 team. During the Coaches Luncheon, the Dash will honor their Service Through Sports Award winner, announce their official charity for the 2014 season and introduce this season's team to Winston-Salem for the first time.
The Service Through Sports Award honors a local individual who has made a lasting, widespread impact through his or her involvement in athletics. BB&T Ballpark opens its fifth season in 2014, and the Dash will also have their fifth Service Through Sports Award winner this year. The late Clarence "Big House" Gaines, who coached Winston-Salem State University's men's basketball team for 47 years, was the inaugural winner. Wake Forest University baseball coach Tom Walter took home the honor in 2011, while Bob and Lisa Gfeller's work through the Matthew Gfeller Foundation was recognized in 2012. Last year, the organization honored late FOX8 sportscaster Rich Brenner.
Over the last four years, the Dash have worked with Brenner Children's Hospital, the Centers for Exceptional Children, the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem and, most recently, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County as the club's charity partner. The Dash's official charity benefits from the proceeds of the club's Commemorative Brick Program, through which fans can purchase an engraved brick that is installed outside BB&T Ballpark's main gates beyond right-center field.
Also this year, the Dash will unveil a new baseball- and community-themed statue outside of those main gates as a contribution to the public art scene. The bronze statue, which was designed by Winston-Salem resident Thomas Ogburn, is approximately 10 feet tall and weighs about 750 pounds.
The statue unveiling will take place at 11:30 a.m. and is free to the public, while the Coaches Luncheon will begin at noon and run until approximately 1 p.m. All seats for the Coaches Luncheon are $10, and admission includes a buffet lunch and free parking in the Founders Lot off Peters Creek Parkway. Tickets must be purchased in advance via credit card by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287.
"Our Coaches Luncheon is one of the most important events that we have each year," Dash team President Geoff Lassiter said. "We always strive to connect with our community, and this event allows us to do just that. We cannot wait to get the 2014 season going with many of our fans on April 1."
Luncheon attendees will have a chance to mingle with the players who will suit up for the Dash on Opening Day. During the event, the "Voice of the Dash" Brian Boesch will introduce all of the players, and manager Tommy Thompson will discuss the 2014 season.
The Coaches Luncheon coincides with the Dash's annual Media Day, during which members of the media will interview players and coaches on the field at BB&T Ballpark.
The Dash's 2014 season will begin at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, April 3, at 7 p.m. against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals). Single-game tickets and partial-season packages are available now by calling the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visiting wsdash.com.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call (336) 714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com .
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