Cougars To Honor NIU Victims In '08
Published on April 3, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - As part of the 2008 season, the Kane County Cougars organization will be paying tribute to the tragic events of February 14th at Northern Illinois University.
Beginning with this Monday's 3 p.m. home opener at Elfstrom Stadium, each Cougars player and coach will wear a special NIU patch that commemorates the lives that were lost as part of the campus shooting this past February in DeKalb. Effective Monday, the patches will be worn during all Cougars home and road games this season.
The Cougars also plan on generating and donating proceeds at various times this season to the university in the hope of properly honoring the students slain in the tragedy.
Both the Cougars and Northern Illinois University have enjoyed a close relationship since the Cougars franchise moved to west suburban Chicago in 1991. Geographically, just 24 miles separate the Cougars from NIU and several Cougars front office staff members and past Cougars players have ties to the university.
"The Cougars paying tribute in this way enhances and strengthens the relationship that already exists between both the Cougars organization and the university," NIU Associate Athletics Director Todd Garzarelli said.
For each of the last three seasons, the NIU baseball team has scheduled a regular-season game at Elfstrom Stadium. Again in 2008, the Huskies, led by head coach Ed Mathey will take the field in Geneva to play the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames on Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:15 p.m.
"The Cougars organization, like others who were affected by the NIU tragedy, continues to heal from the unfortunate events of this past February," Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy said. "Collectively, we will continue to move forward and the Cougars hope to support the university in several ways this season."
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After opening the season on the road for a four-game series against Beloit, the Cougars return home on Monday, April 7th to open a four-game set against the Burlington Bees, a Kansas City Royals affiliate. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans through the gates receive Opening Day caps, courtesy of Provena Mercy Medical Center. Fans can order tickets by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or online at www.kccougars.com.
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- Cougars To Honor NIU Victims In '08 - Kane County Cougars
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