Ferrum Release 11-7-03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Info. Director
(540) 365-4307

November 7, 2003


Billy Wagner to Visit Ferrum Campus
All-Star Pitcher Available for Photos, Autographs Nov. 15

Ferrum, Va. -- Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Billy Wagner will be back on the Ferrum College campus for an autograph and photo session on Saturday, November 15. Wagner will be available for pictures with teams and sign autographs from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Ferrum College is inviting youth baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, and sandlot football teams to come have their picture taken with Billy Wagner. Please bring cameras and signing materials. The event will take place rain or shine on Panther Field, Ferrum's baseball game field.

Additionally, any youth wearing his/her game jersey will be admitted free of charge to Ferrum's football game that afternoon against USA South rival Christopher Newport University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

At halftime of the football game, Ferrum will hold a ceremony to induct six new members into its Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2003, including Wagner. Also being inducted are Lucius M. Merritt, Jr. ’65, Joel R. DeBoe ’67, Horace F. Green ’69, Kris E. Kahila ’70, and Ray Corron. A reception will be held at the Wyndham Roanoke Hotel that evening at 6:00 pm. A dinner and induction ceremony will be held following the reception at 7:00 pm.

Wagner pitched for Ferrum’s baseball team and in 1993 earned All American, All Conference, All State and All Region nods, compiling a three-year collegiate mark of 17-3. He continues to hold the NCAA (all-division) records for single season strikeouts per nine innings (19.1 in 1992) and fewest hits allowed per game (1.58 in 1992).

Wagner was rated the top 1993 collegiate prospect by Baseball America and in June of 1993, was selected in the first round of Major League Baseball’s draft (12^th overall) by the Houston Astros. He made his Major League debut with the Astros on September 13, 1995.

Wagner is a three-time National League All-Star. He was ranked second in the National League in saves this season (44 saves in 47 opportunities) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on November 3, 2003. For more information, please contact the Ferrum Sports Information Office at (540) 365-4306.


# # #