By Aime Rutayisire, Sports Editor
Students and staff from Newman University are invited to gather tonight for “Newman Night” at Equity Bank Park, where the minor league baseball team the Wichita Wind Surge play.
The game will include odes to Newman, whose logo will be displayed on the scoreboard and whose fight song will be played by the public announcer. A Newman alum will throw out the first pitch, and some other distinguished alumni will be recognized.
The game, organized by Director of Student Activities Josh Prilliman, is aimed at building campus community through a relaxed, off-campus experience, Prillman said.
The Wichita Wind Surge is a Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The team started its season on April 2
Tickets to the game are $5 each and can be purchased at the Student Life office in Dugan Library.
The game starts at 6:30 p.m. at Equity Bank Park, which is at 275 N. McLean.
Talks about the game started after Amy Ponds, administrative coordinator for business and technology, connected with Wind Surge representatives at an event in October. The Wind Surge then reached out to Newman, leading to a series of planning discussions that included Prillman, Ponds and Dana Beitey, director of alumni.
Prillman said the goal of the game is to give students more opportunities to connect in a social setting. The Newman students attending will have a few rows reserved for them. The softball team, several Newman employees and other students will be in attendance.
“This is about getting people together,” Prillman said. “Students want things to do, and this is an easy, low-key way to be involved.”
He said that anyone would likely enjoy an evening at the ballpark, even those who aren’t baseball players or fans.
“If you don’t know much about baseball, this is the easiest way to go,” Prillman said. “Its going to be fun to attend.”
Tim Grubbs, director of corporate sponsorship and public relations for the Wind Surge, said that collaborating with the community is pivotal to the organization’s mission.
“We are always trying to be more involved in the community and gather excitement,” Grubbs said.
For the past three years, the team has had similar partnerships with schools such as Kansas State, Kansas and Wichita State.
“Success for us goes beyond wins and losses,” he said. “Minor league baseball is about having fun.”
Thursday night will be Turbo Tubs night for the Wichita Wind Surge, and they will wear special uniforms. Turbo Tubs is an alternate identity or alter-ego for the team, and it uses the name occasionally, just for fun.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
