Eastern Michigan Athletics

Baseball’s Lead Off Dinner Scheduled for Jan. 28
12/16/2022 8:07:00 PM | Baseball
The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 20
Registration Link
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team has announced that the eighth-annual Lead Off Dinner, presented by Anthony and Rita Tomey, will take place Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at 6 p.m. in the EMU Student Center Grand Ballroom. Check-in will commence at 5:30 p.m.
The event will help the EMU baseball team fund its spring trips, as well as other projects to help enhance the team's performance throughout the season. The Ron Oestrike Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to its newest recipient, Jeff Vergolini, during the event. There will also be a keynote speech delivered by former MLB great and World Champion, Cecil Fielder.
Fielder spent 14 seasons in the major league ranks, earning three all-star selections, a two-time American League home run leader, and a three-time American League RBI leader. A two-time Silver Slugger award winner, Fielder notched the highest achievement a major league ballplayer can earn, winning the 1996 World Series with the New York Yankees. Additionally, Fielder finished his career with 319 homers and 1,008 RBIs and is one of only four players, and only Tiger, to homer over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium.
Well-known alumni of the baseball program, Vergolini spent four seasons with the then-Hurons, spending time behind the dish in the 1985-88 seasons. A fixture in the program's history, Vergolini has been instrumental in leading the EMU alumni for decades as he was the original founder of the Diamond Club in 2011. Since his playing days, Jeff has played a pivotal role in organizing events for the EMU Baseball Alumni including the Alumni Game, Golf Outing, and the Lead Off Dinner. During his time with the baseball program, Vergolini has helped raise over $110,000 for the Diamond Club and EMU Baseball. Furthermore, Jeff's son, Derrick, spent three seasons as the EMU's Director of Baseball Operations/Equipment Manager (2016-18) and a season as the team's Student Equipment Manager (2014).
Individual tickets for the event start at $125, while kids 12 and under are just $25. There are also options to sponsor a student-athlete's meal for $35, as well as sponsoring a table, which includes four tickets and a special gift, for $1,000. Additionally, local businesses have the opportunity to become program sponsor for $100. The event will include dinner and an open bar. To register, please visit this link or contact our coaching staff.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team has announced that the eighth-annual Lead Off Dinner, presented by Anthony and Rita Tomey, will take place Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at 6 p.m. in the EMU Student Center Grand Ballroom. Check-in will commence at 5:30 p.m.
The event will help the EMU baseball team fund its spring trips, as well as other projects to help enhance the team's performance throughout the season. The Ron Oestrike Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to its newest recipient, Jeff Vergolini, during the event. There will also be a keynote speech delivered by former MLB great and World Champion, Cecil Fielder.
Fielder spent 14 seasons in the major league ranks, earning three all-star selections, a two-time American League home run leader, and a three-time American League RBI leader. A two-time Silver Slugger award winner, Fielder notched the highest achievement a major league ballplayer can earn, winning the 1996 World Series with the New York Yankees. Additionally, Fielder finished his career with 319 homers and 1,008 RBIs and is one of only four players, and only Tiger, to homer over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium.
Well-known alumni of the baseball program, Vergolini spent four seasons with the then-Hurons, spending time behind the dish in the 1985-88 seasons. A fixture in the program's history, Vergolini has been instrumental in leading the EMU alumni for decades as he was the original founder of the Diamond Club in 2011. Since his playing days, Jeff has played a pivotal role in organizing events for the EMU Baseball Alumni including the Alumni Game, Golf Outing, and the Lead Off Dinner. During his time with the baseball program, Vergolini has helped raise over $110,000 for the Diamond Club and EMU Baseball. Furthermore, Jeff's son, Derrick, spent three seasons as the EMU's Director of Baseball Operations/Equipment Manager (2016-18) and a season as the team's Student Equipment Manager (2014).
Individual tickets for the event start at $125, while kids 12 and under are just $25. There are also options to sponsor a student-athlete's meal for $35, as well as sponsoring a table, which includes four tickets and a special gift, for $1,000. Additionally, local businesses have the opportunity to become program sponsor for $100. The event will include dinner and an open bar. To register, please visit this link or contact our coaching staff.
Thank You from EMU Baseball!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Baseball
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Baseball
Monday, December 01
2026 Baseball Media Day Behind the Scenes
Saturday, November 22



