TAMIU Baseball, Softball Say Thanks, Support TAMIU Student Veterans

A proud tradition continues as Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Athletics showed its support for TAMIU student veterans.  The 2014 TAMIU Baseball and Softball Military Appreciation fundraiser raised $1,115 for the TAMIU Student Veterans Association.

This is the fourth year that TAMIU baseball and softball held a fundraiser for a military or veterans organization.  This is the first year that the fund raiser directly benefits TAMIU's veterans.  Past fundraisers have benefitted local or state-wide nonprofit organizations.

United States Air Force veteran and current TAMIU softball coach Scott Libby says he has been a long-time supporter of the Military Appreciation fundraiser.  He says that his team has "enthusiastically embraced the idea of supporting TAMIU veterans."

"It is a pleasure to assist The TAMIU Veterans Association in any way possible." Libby said. "In this case, our support was financial but in the future we would like to assist in other ways to, as an appreciation for the sacrifice the veterans gave to ensure the safety of the United States."

The fundraiser was accomplished through raffle ticket sales, Wendy's hamburger sales at the Apr. 12 baseball and softball games, and the sale of "TAMIU Athletics Supports Our Veterans" bracelets.

The first prize winner of a $200 Academy & Sports Outdoors gift card was Vanessa Montoya, the second prize winner of a $100 Academy gift card was Carlos Valle and the third prize winner of a Coleman cooler was Eva Delgado.

TAMIU Associate Athletic Director Dan Lathey says that Academy Sports & Outdoors and Wendy's have sponsored the fundraiser from the start and special thanks are extended to Laura Cardenas at Academy and Fernando Guerra at Wendy's.

Lathey also says that he sees a bright future for the TAMIU Baseball and Softball Military Appreciation fundraiser.

"We look forward to improving this fundraiser in the future and are looking into other ways that we can assist the Student Veterans Association get off to a successful start," Lathey said. "Our veterans have made a tremendous sacrifice and TAMIU student-athletes and our fans hope that we can show our appreciation through efforts like this." – TAMIU Athletics

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu