Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Day Sees Good Turnout At Comercia Park
May 20, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University alumni, employees, students, friends and family found themselves cheering for another team last Friday.
More than 1,200 people attended CMU Day at Comerica Park on Friday, May 17, and cheered on the Detroit Tigers as they hosted the Seattle Mariners. However, the home team lost as Seattle grabbed the 6-3 win.
"It was a great event for our alumni, employees, and friends of all ages in attendance," said associate director of alumni relations Chris Austin. "CMU student Nikki Starnes Taylor, a senior, did a great job of singing the national anthem, and President Rao hit the strike zone with his first pitch. Everyone had a great time."
The event was a collaborative effort between CMU's alumni office and the College of Extended Learning. The affair began long before the ballgame with the pregame reception in the Upper Deck Lounge. Rao and director of alumni relations Mary Lu Fleming addressed the crowd and then watched as Rao tossed out the opening pitch.
Rao then made his way into the broadcast booth, taking the air waves to talk with Dan Dickerson and Jim Price, the play-by-play host and color commentator for the Tigers radio network.