Wayne State University Athletics

Baseball 3/8/2022 9:08:00 AM Cameron Weidenthaler, Assistant Media Relations Director

Baseball to Honor GLIAC Championship Teams

The teams from 1980, 1981 and 1982 will be recognized on the field on April 30th.

DETROIT -- Head coach Ryan Kelley and the Wayne State University baseball program are excited to invite alumni from the 1980, 1981 and 1982 teams back to campus on April 30th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tartars winning three straight GLIAC titles.

The festivities will include a special recognition on the field between the games, approximately at 3:00 p.m. A hospitality tent will be set up near the field for alumni to reconnect with former players. Beginning at 1:00 p.m. there will be snacks and cold beverages available. The Warriors will play twice against Purdue Northwest on Harwell Field.

In addition, former Wayne State Baseball head coach Angelo Gust (1980-88) and current head coach Ryan Kelley would like to challenge all former Tartar and Warrior Baseball alumni to financially support the Wayne State baseball program. To show his support and leadership, Coach Gust has announced the "Angelo Gust Challenge". Beginning March 7, 2022, and continuing through April 30, 2022, Coach Gust will match dollar-for-dollar (to the ballpark of $25,000) donations made to support the Wayne State University Baseball program.

Coach Gust at Ferris State (1983) — WSU Coaching Staff at Ferris State (1983)
Left to Right: Rick Korkizko, Mark Monahan, Angelo Gust, Nick Tumbarello

"Coach Gust has been associated with Wayne State baseball for nearly 50 years, as an assistant coach, head coach and ardent supporter," remarked Kelly. "The idea for the challenge was Angelo's. As a former coach, he knows first-hand the financial challenges of operating a first-class program and has regularly communicated his intention to make better the opportunity for both current and future Wayne State University baseball student-athletes. As a former championship-level coach, he truly understands what the Championship Experience is all about. I cannot thank him enough for his constant support of Wayne State baseball. Personally, I enjoy witnessing the elation he realizes when we talk about the student-athletes that were under his direction. A multitude of them have become extremely successful in their lives and professions. Coach Gust beams with enthusiasm when he talks of them."

The link to register for the April 30th event can be found here and the donation link to show your support to the program is located here.

Finally, the department of athletics would love to collect pictures and memories from this time period. Please submit your photos via e-mail to weidenthaler@wayne.edu. You can also stop by the Matthaei Building and let us scan those photographs into our archives and then take the pictures back homewith you. We will add a photo gallery to this release as pictures are submitted to celebrate those fantastic teams.

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