Ryan Braun Headlines Miami Baseball Weekend

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - University of Miami head baseball coach Jim Morris has announced that Major League Baseball All-Star and former Hurricane infielder Ryan Braun will be the guest speaker at the team's preseason banquet on Feb. 12, 2010.

"It's exciting to have Ryan come back to speak at our banquet," Morris said. "He is one of our best players ever and one of our best students ever and there's no doubt he'll deliver a great message to our team and to our fans."

Morris also announced that for the first time ever, the team will hold three of its biggest annual events -- the preseason banquet, the alumni game and golf tournament - all in the same weekend. The weekend kicks off with the banquet on Friday, Feb. 12, followed by the alumni game on Saturday, Feb. 13 and the team's golf tournament on Monday, Feb. 15.

"I'm looking forward to having all of these great events around the same time," Morris said. "It should be fun weekend for everyone involved right before our season gets underway."

The banquet will be held at the Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay on 1633 N. Bayshore Drive in downtown Miami, the alumni game will played at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on the University of Miami campus while the golf tournament will be held at Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club in Coral Gables.

Braun, a two-time National League All-Star as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, has recorded at least 30 home runs in each of his first three MLB seasons. This past season, Braun hit .320 with 203 hits, 32 home runs, 114 RBI, 113 runs and 20 stolen bases.

He became the first former Hurricane ever to win Rookie of the Year honors either the National or American League. He was selected by the Brewers with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2005 MLB Draft. In three seasons as a `Cane, Braun hit .365 with 225 total hits, 40 doubles, 45 home runs, 196 RBI and 57 stolen bases. He helped Miami to two College World Series appearances.

For more information on the banquet, alumni game and golf tournament, contact the Miami baseball office at (305) 284-4171.



(hurricanesports.com)