Washington to speak at First Pitch Banquet

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A well-known baseball figure with local ties will deliver the keynote address at Nicholls’ annual First Pitch Banquet on Feb. 1.

The Colonels announced this week that Atlanta Braves third-base coach and New Orleans native Ron Washington will be this year’s special guest and speaker. 


Fans will also hear from players and coaches at the event, while getting the chance to meet former Colonels – all in an effort to build excitement before the state of the Colonels’ season.

This is the 12th-annual First-Pitch Banquet for the Colonels. The event will be presented by the Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and it will be held inside the Conference Center at the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center.

Nicholls baseball coach Seth Thibodeaux said he and his staff take great pride in making the First Pitch Banquet a hit.


In years past, the event has featured prominent guest speakers from around the baseball world, including Chipper Jones in 2015.

“It’s such an awesome weekend,” Thibodeaux said at last year’s event. “To see so many people in the Nicholls family come back and show their love for our program, it gives you a really warm feeling. It just really reaffirms that you’re doing things the right way and you’re building something that people are proud of.”

For Washington, it will be a reunion.


A New Orleans native, Washington played more than a decade in the majors from 1977-1989. 

He then shifted into coaching. He managed the Texas Rangers from 2007-2014, helping coach the team to the American League pennant in both 2010 and 2011. 

After stepping down as the Rangers’ manager in 2014, Washington got back into coaching in 2015 with the Oakland Athletics. Today, he is entering his second season with the Braves.


During his time with Atlanta, Washington has drastically helped improve the play of the Braves’ defense on the infield. His aggressive approach as a third-base coach has also helped Atlanta’s offense manufacture enough runs to win the 2018 National League East Division Crown — an unlikely honor for a team that wasn’t expected to have success last season.

Individual general admission seats for the event are priced at $60/person. A limited number of eight-seat reserved tables are also available for $500. 

Ticketing questions should be referred to assistant coach Walt Jones. He can be reached at walter.jones@nicholls.edu. 


ALUMNI GAME ALSO PART OF THE WEEKEND

Washington will take the stage and give his address on Friday night before a large audience of the Colonels’ nation.

But on Saturday morning — weather permitting — it will be time for some former Colonels to break out the ol’ bat and glove and compete to officially kick off the 2019 season.


On Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m., Nicholls will host its annual Alumni Game, which will afford former players the chance to compete at Didier Field.

The annual game draws former players back to the university to promote Colonels’ pride.

Thibodeaux joked at the Alumni Game a few seasons ago that the game is sometimes somber because he sees players that he wishes he still had in his locker room.


But he added quickly that it’s a great event and a chance for current players to learn from former players — bringing the whole family together.

“It’s great for our program,” Thibodeaux said.

Ron Washington


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