DURHAM, N.C. – The 2010 NCAA Champion Duke Blue Devils will be honored at the City of Champions Celebration on Thursday, April 15 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Seniors
Jon Scheyer,
Lance Thomas and
Brian Zoubek will also throw out ceremonial first pitches before the Durham Bulls game against Norfolk.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. the Duke men's basketball team and coaching staff will be joined by Duke's cheerleaders and pep band. Head coach
Mike Krzyzewski will make remarks as well as Scheyer, Thomas and Zoubek. Durham Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell and Durham County Commission Chairman Rev. Michael Page will present proclamations.
The championship celebration is a collaboration between the Chamber, DCVB, the City and the County, the Durham Bulls and American Tobacco to show their strong collective support of the teams that help make Durham known as the “City of Champions.”
At 6:30 p.m. across the street, the Night of National Champions continues at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park when the pre-game fun begins before the Bulls take on the Norfolk Tides.
Durham Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo will be presented his award from Baseball America for being named the 2009 Minor League Manager of the Year. Montoyo, who has won three division titles, a Governors' Cup Championship and a National Title in his three seasons with the Bulls, is the first Durham manager to win the award since the Bulls moved to Triple-A in 1998.
The Young Marines Color Guard will present the flag, then the Duke University Pep Band will perform the National Anthem.
During the third inning, the entire Duke Basketball team will take the field giving fans in the Triangle the opportunity to congratulate them on their National Title. The National Championship trophy will then be placed on the main concourse where fans can have their picture taken.
The Chamber is the sponsor of the Opening Night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Chamber member businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to game goers along the stadium concourse.
The Bulls and Norfolk Tides square off at 7:05 p.m. before an anticipated full house at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Tickets are available now at www.durhambulls.com or by phone at (919) 956-BULL.
The pre-game celebration at the American Tobacco Campus is free and open to the public. Tickets for the Durham Bulls opening night game can be purchased at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, by calling (919) 956-BULL or at
www.durhambulls.com.