MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Stars of Barry University’s Baseball program will be on display on Saturday, Jan. 12 as a pair of all-star lineups composed of alumni look to battle in a special exhibition game at Feinbloom Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 pm.
Many former players, including a number who went on to play professionally, are expected for the game. Among those expected to make an appearance include professional players Alex Meneses and Nick Corbeil, Yudelmis Hernandez, Matt Petty, Cesar Aranguren, Yas Gutierrez, John Servidio, Mike Tomoleonias well as All-Americans Corey Witkowski and Nick Corbeil, to name a few.
The baseball team will also honor Bill Reifsnider, a member of the Buccaneer baseball team from 1987-90 and an alumnus of Barry University who passed away on May 24, 2012 after a battle with cancer.
Reifsnider was born in Toledo, Ohio and came to Barry University as a student in 1986. He graduated cum laude from Barry in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a minor in business. Bill played first base for the Buccaneers from 1987-90. He played in 178 games and totaled 11 career records and 5 single season records. His career doubles, 63, is highest in BU history. He hit over .355 every year including a personal best of .406 as a senior, second in BU history.
It was during his senior season that he was named to the SSC All-Conference Team. He was a Charter Inductee into the Barry University Wall of Honor in 1996.
Bill was Barry University’s first Rhodes Scholar candidate in 1990 and was the first Barry student to win an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He won the Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award in 1990. He was a three-time winner of Barry’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and simultaneously earned the Male Athlete of the Year Award in his senior year, one of only two to ever do so. Bill was named GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1989.
Bill worked throughout his life in careers to help others. One of his last wishes was that friends and family channel their desire to support him into helping others. He wanted to “Pay it forward” to those in need and to help them out as a thank you. His family has set up a scholarship in his name and it will be awarded to a senior student on the Barry University Baseball Team who needs the assistance to complete his degree.
Barry University is honored to welcome Bill’s mother, Mary Pat, his sisters, Shelley Rider, and Patsy Mangas as well as his brother, John and his two nephews Travis and Jack both of whom play baseball. To honor Bill, the annual alumni baseball game this spring and here forward will be held in Bill’s honor.
Following the mass we invite all mass attendees to a barbecue and alumni baseball game held at the baseball-softball complex across North Miami Avenue.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Mass in Honor of William Reifsnider 4:00 pm
Dedication at New Baseball/Softball Entrance 4:45 pm
Food Served 5:00 pm
Batting Practice 5:45 pm
First Pitch 6:35 pm