Today@Sam Article

SHSU Departments To Team Up For ‘Night At Minute Maid’

March 21, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Chris Young

Sam Houston State students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are invited to show their Bearkat spirit while cheering on the Houston Astros on April 16 for "SHSU Night at Minute Maid Park." —Photo by Brian Blalock

The Sam Houston State University Office of Alumni Relations and the Sport Management Program will host “SHSU Night at Minute Maid Park” on April 16. 

Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the fun as the Houston Astros take on the Detroit Tigers at 6 p.m.

The Office of Alumni Relations has held “SHSU Night at Minute Maid Park” for the past 15 years. This is the sixth year for the Sport Management Program’s signature event; however, this year will be the first for the program to partner with Alumni Relations and the Astros, having previously partnered with the Houston Rockets and the Aeros. 

“By using our combined resources, we are interested in enhancing the experience for all attendees,” said Ryan Zapalac, associate professor in the department of kinesiology. “The Office of Alumni Relations has established their event with the Astros as one of their most popular events every year.

“When we considered this year’s event for our program, we saw a way for students to gain the same valuable experience they have in past years’ events, while also partnering with the Office of Alumni Relations to help provide even more exposure to the alumni base,” he said. 

Activities will include a pregame meal for students, provided by Student Services, held in the St. Arnold Pavilion in Minute Maid Park at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited, so students must register in advance. 

In addition, event sponsors and alumni who purchase designated blocks of tickets will be invited to take part in a VIP event from 4–5:30 p.m. in Champions Pavilion.  

The VIP event is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Sport Management Program, the Division of Student Services, the College of Health Sciences, the Department of Kinesiology, and the College of Education.

SHSU head football coach K.C. Keeler and Provost Jaimie Hebert will be featured guests at the VIP event. Other notable guests will include College of Health Sciences interim Dean Ken Hendrickson, Sammy Bearkat, and the Orange Pride Dance Team.

During the VIP Event, SHSU's Sport Management Program will present its annual Industry Impact Award to Reid Ryan, above, a founder and CEO of the Corpus Christi Hooks and Round Rock Express.

During the event, the Sport Management Program will present the 2016 Industry Impact Award to Reid Ryan, president of the Houston Astros. 

Ryan is one of the youngest presidents in all of Major League Baseball. As a founder and CEO of the Corpus Christi Hooks and Round Rock Express, he quickly built them into two of the strongest franchises in all of Minor League Baseball. Ryan also is the son of former Astros pitcher and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. 

“Every person that we have talked to speaks of Reid’s passion to give back to the community, his desire to help the team make an impact beyond the baseball diamond, and his ethical approach to business,” said Zapalac. 

“He has also been a great friend to the Sport Management Program and the university, having participated in many SHSU events and having assisted many students along the way,” said Brent Estes, associate professor of kinesiology. “He represents the true spirit of our program’s top honor, and we are very honored to have him as this year’s recipient.”

Pregame will begin with SHSU ROTC presenting the colors for the National Anthem followed by Hebert throwing out the first pitch. 

Discount tickets will be available for students at three price levels: $25 upper level view deck one, $30 second level mezzanine and $45 in the lower level field box four.  

Students in Derek Beeman’s “Revenue Generation in Sports” class are responsible for selling tickets to the event. Each student in the class has a unique promo code to track their ticket sales. Promo codes for students or one provided by the Office of Alumni Relations must be used to purchase tickets at the discounted price. Student discount codes range from GSHS01 to GSHS13, while the Alumni Relations promo code is GSHS20.

“This year, we want to bring something new and exciting to the event, while reaching a broader audience,” said Meagen Morrison, Alumni Relations event coordinator. “With this partnership (with the SHSU Sport Management Program) we hope to showcase the biggest and best VIP pre-game reception and baseball game, while increasing attendance and enhancing the atmosphere for our loyal Bearkat alumni.”

Individual and group tickets can be purchased online at astros.com/shsu. For complete information about the event, visit shsuastros.blogspot.com. 

Alumni also may purchase a ticket to the VIP event through the Alumni Relations website, at houston.astros.mlb.com, for $20. 

For more information, contact Zapalac at rkz001@shsu.edu, Estes at bce001@shsu.edu, or Morrison mam086@shsu.edu. 

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