Current-squad captures 2011 Baseball Alumni Game, 12-5; Program retires Al Ogletree's No. 44 with others honored

IRVING, Texas - Saturday, Nov. 5, marked a big victory for the University of Dallas baseball program, and not because the 2011-12 baseball team won a scrimmage, 12-5.

The score, in fact, was irrelevant as the game was played between the current squad and a team compromised of Dallas Baseball Alumni. The presence of at least 36 alumni at the Crusader Field was of great significance.

The 2011 Alumni Baseball Game was preceded by a ceremony honoring four individuals who have contributed greatly to the baseball program. Dave "Super Dave" Lemire, former Dallas Baseball head coach and Hall of Famer James Vilade, Athletics Director Dick Strockbine and President Thomas Keefe were each named 'Crusader Baseball Players for life.'

The ceremony continued as the baseball program retired uniform No. 44, the number worn by Coach Al Ogletree, head coach at the University of Dallas from 1955-65. Coach Ogletree played a prominent role at the University of Dallas where he helped start intercollegiate athletics while coaching both the baseball and basketball teams.

Several members of Coach Ogletree's teams were honored in the ceremony as well. Gary Morris (1961-64), Troy Miller (1961-63) and Rufe Brewton (1957-59) were all honored as they stood on the infield grass. Miller and Brewton both spoke about Coach Ogletree's character on and off the field.

Coach James Vilade, head coach at the University of Dallas from 1998-2001, was recognized for bringing baseball back to the University of Dallas after an eighteen-year absence. After a speech from Coach Vilade, President Keefe threw the honorary first pitch. After walking to the front of the mound President Keefe wasted no time by quickly throwing a strike to head coach Fraser Holmes.

As previously stated, the presence of these alumni on the University of Dallas campus is very exciting for the baseball program and the University as a whole. Connecting alumni to current students and the campus is important in building the endowment and baseball program. This support will ensure that athletics at the University of Dallas "reinforce strong characteristics ideals into student-athletes so that they may achieve great success in an educationally sound environment." That is something which Coach Ogletree and supporters of the University of Dallas and the baseball program would surely like to see. 

Story from the University News (Nov. 8, 2011), written by Christian Liebenow