Jan. 13, 2010

DeKalb, Ill. - The Northern Illinois baseball program has set its annual "Leadoff Banquet" for Sunday, January 24 from 4-8 p.m. CT at White Eagle Golf Club, located at 3400 Club Drive in Naperville, Ill., featuring keynote speaker Glen Van Proyen, Special Assistant to the Chicago Cubs General Manager.

Van Proyen brings a plethora of experience to the event, as for more than 30 years, businesses, organizations and students have benefitted from his insights, instruction and inspiration as a motivational speaker and teacher.

For over 20 years, Van Proyen has also helped discover and coach players to Major League Baseball and the National Football League, as he applies his wealth of knowledge to the areas of leadership, teambuilding and motivation to help bring out the best in people. In addition to motivational speaking, Van Proyen has found success as an athlete, teacher/coach, professional scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Hall of Fame basketball official who owns five National League and World Championship rings.

The "Leadoff Banquet" will begin with a social hour from 4-5:15 p.m., and dinner will start around 5:30 p.m. NIU head coach Ed Mathey will then honor the 2009 Huskie team with presentations of the Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, Top Newcomer, Top Dawg and Most Improved awards. Afterwards, Mathey will provide a preview of the rapidly approaching 2010 season.

Tickets are available for $60 by calling the Huskie Baseball Office at (815) 753-0147 by January 20, and include dinner, a cash bar, the guest of honor Glen Van Proyen and a silent auction that will be full of great memorabilia. All proceeds from the event will benefit the NIU baseball program.