MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Cap Off Successful Weekend

Published on January 31, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars added warmth and anticipation for the upcoming season with fans, sponsors, coaches and local media as the organization hosted its annual Winter Banquet and Silent Auction for Charity Friday evening at Pipers Banquets in Aurora. Presented by Provena Mercy Medical Center, Friday night's Winter Banquet and Silent Auction raised money with proceeds from the event benefiting Ozzie's Outreach, the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Cougars. Earlier this morning, Cougars staff conducted their annual Coaches Clinic at the Fox Valley Strikers Club Soccer Facility in Geneva. Area youth baseball and softball coaches received free training and pointers from members of the Oakland A's coaching staff, as well as Cougars coaching staff members.

During Friday evening's event, banquet attendees enjoyed a high-end dinner and lively speakers program that resembled a homecoming of sorts for the evening's keynote speakers, Dave Wills and Scott Franzke. Wills and Franzke, both former radio voices of the Cougars, have advanced their careers to the Major League level as broadcasters for the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively.

Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy began the speakers program with an update on the Elfstrom Stadium renovation project, and a peek of what to expect at the Cougars' new home beginning this season. A renovated Elfstrom Stadium won't be the only fresh sight in 2009 as the organization also unveiled new game jerseys and ball caps that will be worn by the team this season. 2008 Team MVP Larry Cobb addressed the crowd and thanked the fans for the support during last year's playoff-bound squad. Following Cobb, new Cougars manager Steve Scarsone expressed excitement for his new role as Cougars' field general and stepping back into Minor League Baseball for the first time since 2002. Finally, Wills and Franzke each took to the podium, sharing memories of their time at Kane County, trading light-hearted jabs at each other, and revealing their thoughts on broadcasting the 2008 World Series for their respective teams.

As one of Chicago's harshest winters so far, banquet attendees were busy thinking warm thoughts of Cougars baseball. An autographed football by Kurt Warner, who will be the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in tomorrow's Super Bowl, fetched $300. Other high-ticket silent auction items included a Chicago Blackhawks hockey stick ($375), Matt Forte autographed football ($200) and a Cougars jersey autographed by prospect Jemile Weeks ($200). A variety of non-sports related items donated by area businesses were up for grabs as well, including packages from the Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo and the Hotel Baker. Cougars radio announcer Jeff Hem will have some company in the broadcast booth this season as a "Guest Radio Announcer" package drew a final sale of $175.

With the evening's proceeds going to Ozzie's Outreach, the Cougars organization will once again be able to support a variety of local charitable endeavors this season. In years past, contributions from Ozzie's Outreach have benefited Juvenile Diabetes, American Cancer Society, Operation USO Care Package and the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. This April, Chicago-area kids will migrate to the ballpark after having earned their free ticket as part of the Ozzie's Reading Club, now in its 15th season. Ozzie's Reading Club is a community initiative that is supported through events such as the Winter Banquet and Silent Auction. This spring, more than 150,000 students will read books while earning free Cougars souvenirs and ultimately, a ticket to a Cougars game along with their classmates.

The Cougars' weekend concluded this morning with the organization's annual Coaches Clinic. Area youth coaches received hands-on instruction from members of the Oakland A's and Cougars, including new manager and former Major Leaguer Steve Scarsone, Oakland's roving hitting instructor Greg Sparks and three-year Cougars manager and newly-promoted skipper for the Stockton Ports, Aaron Nieckula.

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Midwest League Stories from January 31, 2009


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