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 Wayne Tolleson (left) and Phillip Grundy (right) will introduce their former head coaches Bill Haywood and Jack Leggett at the Feb. 9 |
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Jan. 3, 2008
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Cullowhee, N.C. - Former two-sport standout Wayne Tolleson and 1993 All-American Phillip Grundy will be on hand to introduce their former Catamount coaches in Bill Haywood and Jack Leggett during the first-ever "Celebration of Catamount Baseball" to be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Crest Center in Asheville.
The fundraising event will not only celebrate the past accomplishments of the Catamount baseball family, but will also honor special guests former head coaches Haywood and Leggett, both of which will be in attendance. The evening will also feature recognition of former WCU skippers Rodney Hennon, Keith LeClair and Todd Raleigh.
Also as a part of the evening, the 2008 Catamount baseball team will be introduced as they gear up for their season, which begins Feb. 22 against Marshall in Cullowhee.
"This special evening is really starting to take form," said WCU first-year head coach Bobby Moranda. "Having two individuals such as Wayne Tolleson and Phil Grundy - who mean so much to the tradition of Catamount baseball - come back and introduce their former head coaches is tremendous. I know they are excited about the event and are looking forward to catching up and reminiscing with old teammates, as well as see what is in store for the future of Catamount baseball."
Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1990, Tolleson was Western's first Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year when he received that honor for the 1977-78 season. He was a two-sport, All-SoCon star at Western starting at wide receiver for the Catamount football team for three and a half seasons (1974-77) and at short stop for the Diamond Cats (1975-78).
On the gridiron, Tolleson led the nation in pass receptions in 1977, making 73 catches for 1,101 yards, which rank third and fourth, respectively, in the WCU single-season record books. He also was selected to play in the 1977 Can-Am Football All-Star Game in Tampa, Fla. Tolleson's 20 career TD receptions rank third at Western, while his 2,246 career receiving yards rank him 10th all-time.
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Following his time in Cullowhee, Tolleson played Major League Baseball for 10 years as a infielder from 1981 through 1990. Drafted in the eighth round by Texas in 1978, he spent five seasons with the Rangers, a partial season with the Chicago White Sox and five seasons with the New York Yankees. Tolleson's best professional season came in 1985 when he averaged .313 with 21 stolen bases with the Rangers.
Grundy was a three-time All-SoCon pick, earning first-team accolades in 1991 and '93, as well as a second team nod in 1992. He was also twice tabbed an American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Atlantic Region selection. He was inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 2005.
Used solely as a pitcher as a true freshman in 1991, Grundy posted an 11-4 record to lead all NCAA freshman in victories (seventh overall) while posting a 3.86 earned run average to garner Freshman All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball. A year later, he was instrumental in helping the '92 Catamounts claim both the SoCon regular season and tournament championships and move to within two outs of advancing to the College World Series.
Grundy's junior season in 1993 was a banner year as he hit .333 with 17 home runs and a SoCon-leading 66 RBI, while also posting a 3.12 ERA on the mound. He received tournament MVP honors as Western won conference tournament championship and capped the year by earning All-American honors.
In three seasons as a pitcher, Grundy posted a 24-16 record with a 3.09 ERA and struck out 263 batters in 294.1 innings. He ranks ninth on the WCU all-time ERA list, sixth in wins, fourth in strikeouts and third in innings pitched. At the plate, he had .335 career average with 27 home runs and 106 RBI in less than 100 games. Grundy left Western after his junior season after being a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Royals (second overall pick by the organization).
The "Celebration of Catamount Baseball" includes a VIP cocktail hour beginning at 5:00 pm, followed by a plated meal featuring the main program of the evening, emceed by WCU Hall of Fame member and former Sports Information Director, Steve White. Also, two-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, Bret Saberhagen, will be on hand signing autographs.
Tables for eight are available for $600, which includes eight (8) VIP passes for the cocktail hour and tickets to the dinner. Individuals can purchase a seat to the 6:15 pm dinner for $75, or $100 for tickets to both the cocktail hour and dinner festivities.
There is also a "Corporate Partnership Package" for $1,000 which includes a reserved table for eight guests, eight VIP cocktail hour passes, an autographed baseball bat and availability for a corporate logo on display at the event.
All proceeds support Catamount baseball.
To make reservations for the first-annual "Celebration of Catamount Baseball," please contact Sandy Neuenschwander in the Catamount Club Office at (800) 492-8496; or via E-mail at sneuens@wcu.edu. Seating for the event is limited.
