(2011) Friday, May 27th at 7:00 PM
This year’s banquet is Friday, May 27th at 7:00 PM, and is the kick-off to the JUCO World Series tournament which commences Saturday, May 28th. Tickets for the banquet are $40 and will be available in April at the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce
Jamie Hamilton, President of the Grand Junction Baseball Committee and JUCO Tournament Chairman, announced that Bernie Williams, five-time All-Star and four-time World Series Champion will be the speaker at this year’s NJCAA (JUCO) World Series banquet.
“We’re excited to have him and fortunate that he could fit it into his schedule,” Hamilton said. Williams, now retired from the MLB, has since immersed himself in a full-time music career.
“His 16 year career with the Yankees speaks volumes and I had the chance to view his musical performance on the televised All Star’s game. We’re hoping to combine his two major passions at the banquet this year. I think he will bring a great message to the attending student athletes – you can pursue your dreams regardless of obstacles or stage in your life,” Hamilton added.
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Williams excelled in both sports and music. At the age of eight, he fell in love with the game of baseball and also with the music of a flamenco guitar. When he was 17, Williams signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees.
The center fielder won four Gold Gloves, was the 1996 American League Championship Series MVP and won the 1998 American League batting title. He’s among the Yankees’ all-time leaders in every major hitting category and has more postseason RBI than any player in Major League Baseball history. He was on six American League championship teams.
In 2003, Williams released his first album, The Journey Within, a mixture of jazz, rock and the sophisticated Latin rhythms of his Puerto Rican heritage. The album reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. His second album, Moving Forward, debuted No. 2 as Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz album. It was also nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2009. A third album is in the works, and he’s also co-authoring a book, set for release this July, Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance.
Menu for the evening:
Romaine Salad
Garnished with Chopped Eggs & Bacon Bits
Served with Colorado Ranch & Thousand Island Dressings
Cranberry & Dried Fruit Stuffed Pork Loin
Served on a bed of Cranberry Demi Glaze
Volcano of Sweet Potatoes topped with Whipped Yukon Potato
Garden Haricot Vert
Ranch Rolls with Butterballs
Blonde & Brunette Diamonds of Brownies
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