2011 Baseball - Creighton University Bluejays

College World SeriesThe NCAA DivisionI College World Serieshas called Omahahome every year since1950 and CreightonUniversity serves as thehost institution for theevent. Annually drawingmore than 225,000fans to the 11-dayevent, the College World Series is one of the nation’spremier sporting events, matching college baseball’stop eight teams in a double-elimination tournamentfor the national championship.The 2011 CWS will be the 62nd in Omaha andis scheduled for June 18-29 at TD Ameritrade ParkOmahaAll-AmericansThe Creighton baseball programhas produced 14 All-Americans in itshistory, including four first-teamers inthe 1990s: Dan Smith (1990), ScottStahoviak (1991), Chad McConnell(1992) and Ryan Gripp (1999).Others who have received All-Scott ReeseAmerica recognition include ScottServais (1988), Mike Heathcott (1991), Peyton Lewis(1999), Steve Grasley (2004), Tony Roth (2004), ScottReese (2005) and Zach Daeges (2006).In 2007, three pitchers received All-America honors.Ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte was namedan All-American by four different publications, starterBen Mancuso was a third-team selection by CollegiateBaseball and reliever Andy Masten earned secondteamlaurels from the NCBWA.Dr. Lee C. BevilacquaInducted into the Creighton University AthleticHall of Fame in 1988, Dr. Lee C. Bevilacqua becamethe first person associated with Creighton Athleticsto be honored by the Missouri Valley Conference Hallof Fame when he was presented the MVC Award ofMerit at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Sept.1, 1998, in St. Louis.Bevilacqua was Creighton’s volunteer team physicianfor 32 years (1962-82, 1986-98) until his passing inOctober of 1998, while on a road trip with the Bluejaymen’s soccer team.During his years of service, Bevilacqua neverreceived monetary compensation and always paid hisown way when he traveled with teams.MVC All-Centennial TeamAs part of its centennial celebration,the Missouri Valley Conference nameda baseball all-centennial team in 2007.Creighton was well-represented, as nineBluejays were selected.Tony Roth (2002-05) was one of fiveplayers selected at second base. ScottServais (1986-88) at catcher and ZachDaeges (2003-06) at third base wereeach one of only four players selected attheir positions.The 1991 National Player of the YearTony RothScott Stahoviak (1989-91) was selected as a utilityplayer. Oneri Fleita (1987-88) was voted to the teamas one of four designated hitters.In the outfield, Dave Schrage (1980-83) was chosenas one of nine outfielders. He is the only personto earn all-conference honors as a player and laterreceive the league’s Coach of the Year award.Alan Benes (1991-93) and Dan Smith (1988-90)were voted onto the team as starting pitchers.Steve Grasley (2001-04) received the nod as a reliefpitcher.Hall of FameIn addition to his status as a Major League BaseballHall of Famer, Bob Gibson was the first Bluejayinducted into the Creighton University Athletics Hallof Fame in 1968. The Creighton Hall of Fame nowboasts 66 members, including 11 former baseballplayers.Joining Gibson in the Creighton Athletics Hallof Fame are Oneri Fleita (2000), Gil Passarella(1984), Dennis Rasmussen (1993), Randy Schwartz(1994), Jim Hendry (2001), Scott Servais (2003), ScottStahoviak (2005), Mike Heathcott (2006), Mike Finley(2007) and 2009 inductee Rick Freehling.Fight SongThe Creighton University Fight Song is “The Whiteand the Blue,” with words and music by GordonRichmond.“The White and the Blue!Colors two, it is you we defend.Fearless for you,our might to the fight we will lend.So: wave, colors, waveWe will fight on for your glory.White and Blue!We will fight till the fight is won.”JaybackersThe booster group for Creighton Athletics, theJaybackers, contributed over $3.3 million to the athleticdepartment last year, primarily through membershipdonations and the annual Bluejay Jamboree heldin November.Endowed ScholarshipsThrough the generosity of its supporters, Creightonhas established endowed scholarships that are awardedto student-athletes on a yearly basis. Most of thesescholarships go toward helping fifth-year studentathleteswho have completed their athletic eligibility.Below are the last names of donors with endowedscholarships that are available to baseball players:Baseball Only: Gradoville, Mangiameli, Palmer,QuinlanAll Sports: Barr, Bevilacqua, Cimpl, Coniglio, Dippel,Gibson (minority), Good, Heider, Hendriickson,Iwersen, Kiefer, Kroeger, Leavitt, Mailliard, McManus,Munson, Remde, Taylon, Fr. Hart, Fr. Schlegel.2011 BaseballCreighton TraditionsMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Creighton baseball team has been a memberof the Missouri Valley Conference since the 1977season. Prior to joining the Valley, the Bluejays playedas an independent.The oldest conference headquartered west of theMississippi River, The Valley is in its 103rd year ofexistence and began sponsoring baseball in 1947.Major LeaguersThe Creighton program has seen its share ofathletes move on to the professional ranks. The Jayshave had 73 players drafted by Major League Baseballteams since 1955 with 15 of them making it to a40-man roster. This includes 28 signees in the 1990sand 17 since 2000.Some of the more notable names fromCreighton’s history are Bob Gibson, Dave McKay,Dennis Rasmussen, Scott Servais, Kimera Bartee,Scott Stahoviak and Alan Benes.Most recently the names of Zach Daeges, AdamSchaecher, Marc Lewis, Chase Odenreider, PatVenditte and Darin Ruf have been added to the list.USA BaseballFive Bluejay baseball players -- Chad McConnell,Chad Meyers, Dennis Rasmussen, Scott Servais andDan Smith -- have represented the United Statesin international competition. Scott Servais was amember of the gold-medal-winning baseball team atthe 1988 Seoul Olympics.Creighton was ranked in the latest Top 50 USABaseball National Team Collegiate Programs by USABaseball. The Bluejays came in tied for 23rd in therankings, which are based on a program’s contributionsto the U.S. National Team.Zach Daeges Scott Servais Dennis RasmussenCreighton Baseball Meet the Staff Meet the Players Opponents 2010 in Review Records and History This is Creighton99