Fourth Annual Floyd Temple Alumni Game Slated for Saturday

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Held in conjunction with Homecoming and K-Club weekend, an array of former players are dusting off their gloves in preparation for the Fourth-Annual Floyd Temple Alumni game, held each year to honor legendary KU baseball coach Floyd Temple, at Hoglund Ballpark Saturday, October 31.
 
“I think one of the great things about attending the University of Kansas is that you’re a Jayhawk for life,” current head coach Ritch Price said. “Our former players love to come back to campus to experience the entire KU atmosphere. From the football game, to campanile, to hanging out on Massachusetts Street after the game with former teammates, they embrace it. It’s a great day to be a Jayhawk.”
 
Temple, the winningest head coach in program history, passed away in 2012. As the skipper of Kansas baseball for 28 seasons (1954-81), Temple amassed 438 victories to supplement a .524 winning percentage. After coaching, Temple served as an assistant athletic director from 1981-92.
 
Last years’ event featured over 30 alumni members including Temple’s son, Biff, who was invited to toss out the first pitch. There were several other familiar faces in the crowd as former Major League pitchers Chuck Dobson and Marty Pattin served as honorary captains for the alumni squad. Dobson hurled in the majors for nine seasons while Pattin tossed for 13.
 
Lawrence will be electric during Halloween weekend and Price is expecting another tremendous turnout this year. Aside from the football game, the volleyball squad welcomes Baylor to town for a highly touted conference match.
 
“The special part about it for me is seeing the pride that the former players have for KU when they come back for this event,” Price said. “I want the current guys to realize that when they go out and shake the hands of the alumni before the game, that is going to be them one day. I want that bond to exist between our current and former players.”
 
The parent weekend festivities kickoff with a team scrimmage scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 30. The first pitch of the alumni game is slated for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
 
Prior to the three-inning game, alumni are welcome to take batting practice off of coach Price and a buffet will be served in the Trombold Lounge of the McCarthy Family Clubhouse from 10 a.m. to noon for alumni and their guests. Hoglund Ballpark will be open to all fans who would like to catch the action between the current and former players.
 
The weekend concludes with a 12:30 p.m. team scrimmage Sunday, November 1.
 
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