The public is invited to the Ellsworth Community College baseball team's sixth annual Lead Off Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 pm at Highland Golf Club in Iowa Falls. A highlight will be the keynote address from Mike Rooney, ESPN College Baseball Analyst.

"Last year we had a tremendous response to this event, and we are hoping to have continued success this year," explains ECC Head Coach Travis Akre. "This event will fund our spring trips and equipment upgrades, as well as providing substantial funds to the Martin Dittmer baseball scholarship."

ECC alumni, baseball enthusiasts, family, friends, and supporters of ECC baseball are invited to attend.

Keynote speaker Mike Rooney is currently an ESPN College Baseball Analyst and has been since 2008. He played baseball at Notre Dame for Pat Murphy '88-'92 and in his senior year was one win from Omaha. Rooney was head coach at Malvern Prep '95-'98 and coached two first round picks, Ben Davis and Josh McKinley. He was an assistant at Arizona State University for six seasons, head coach at Phoenix College from '06-'08. A highlight for Rooney in his time at ESPN was being the Field Reporter in Omaha the last 2 years. He has coached 19 Big Leaguers in total including big names like Dustin Pedroia, Andre Ethier, and Ian Kinsler.

The Lead Off Dinner will include a welcome from Head Coach Akre, a meet-and-greet with the 2019 baseball team, and a silent auction. Items in the silent auction include autographs from Evan Longoria, Robin Yount, Mark Grace, Lee Smith, Lou Brock, Ernie Banks and more!

Tickets are $50 per person, which includes the dinner. For ticket information contact Coach Akre at 641-648-8534 or 507-313-9302 or email Travis.Akre@iavalley.edu.