Thursday Festivities Prove To Be Exciting Start To 2007 CWS
The hour-long activity included formal team introductions. Each team was intorduced with a season-long highlight tape being shown over the jumbotron. The Navy Leap Frog parachuters also had each team's flag parachuted into the pitcher's diamond at the stadium.
"To see all of the people here gives you chills," MSU senior outfielder Jeffery Rea said. "You work the whole season to get to this point. We are very excited about getting a chance to play here."
NCAA officials then recognized each team's top student-athlete for the school year. MSU received special recognition for having the highest GPA of the CWS participants. The Bulldogs recorded a 3.16 GPA for the 2006-07 school year, including a 3.22 GPA in the spring semester.
In addition, MSU freshman shortstop Jet Butler received special notice for having the highest GPA of all tournament participants. Butler was the only CWS participant to have completed a 4.0 GPA this past school year.
The opening ceremonies concluded with a 15-minute fireworks display.
Fans were treated to a demonstration by the U. S. Navy "Leap Frog" skydiving team as they performed their skydiving maneuvers and delivered the official U.S. flag of the CWS along with banners for each of the participating schools.
Thursday was a busy day for all tournament participants. The day opened with practice and autograph sessions for all teams. In addition, NCAA officials held a press conference, giving an overview of college baseball in general and this year's series in particular. Shortly after the NCAA officials met the press, the eight CWS coaches then met the press as well.
"I am extremely proud of my ballclub for being able to make it here," MSU head coach Ron Polk said. "This tournament represents the best teams in the nation. If I had one regret, it is that we could not have more Southeastern Conference teams competing in this year's event."
MSU is the lone SEC team participating in this year's series. The Bulldogs return to the Rosenblatt Stadium surface for the first time since 1998 when they take on North Carolina at 6 p.m. tonight in a first-round game. The contest will be shown nationally by ESPN2.
Louisville and Rice open the CWS with a 1 p.m. start today - also slated for an ESPN2 broadcast.