Patriot Baseball ushered in the 2019 season on Friday, February 8, on the campus of Dallas Baptist University and the 27th Annual Patriot Baseball Banquet. With a record event attendance of nearly 1,500 in Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel, DBU welcomed George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States. 
 
Joined onstage and moderated by WFAA-TV's Chief Meteorologist and DBU Board of Trustees member, Pete Delkus, the two discussed faith, family, service, leadership and baseball during a question and answer time. As a gifted storyteller, Bush reflected on his love for baseball, his time spent as the owner of the Texas Rangers, his recently developed love for painting, and the books he has authored.
 
Bush shared candidly about leadership lessons gleaned from a life of service, emphasizing the importance of maintaining priorities and possessing guiding principles that never waver whether in victory or defeat. Bush discussed PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), established by President Bush and his wife, Laura – one of the largest humanitarian relief agendas in the history of our country – and also shared reflections on the passing of his mother and father in the past year citing his immense gratitude for the great gift of unconditional love given by his parents.
 
As part of a special presentation, DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright and Head Coach Dan Heefner presented President Bush with a number "43" Patriot gameday jersey.  
 
On a night in which Patriot fans paid tribute to the service and leadership of President George W. Bush, Head Coach Dan Heefner, who enters his 12th season at the helm for the Patriots, also addressed the audience and spoke of the 2019 DBU Baseball Team and their pursuit of excellence in competition, faith, and academics. 
 
Among others recognized at the DBU Baseball Banquet was Patriot Baseball alumnus and member of the Boston Red Sox organization, Devlin Granberg. Granberg was named the SABR Metroplex Player of the Year after leading the nation in hits and setting single-season school records in batting average, hits, on-base percentage, and stolen bases.
 
For a video recap of this historic evening on the DBU campus, please click here.

Opening Day of the 2019 season will take place Friday, February 15, as DBU welcomes Kent State to Horner Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and fans can purchase single game or season tickets by visiting DBUTickets.com