We estimate almost 200 Big Ten alumni attended the 3rd Annual Big Ten Night at the Dayton Dragons on Saturday evening, July 26, 2008. As you might suspect, Ohio State alumni outnumbered all other schools represented.  We're not sure just how many other schools had alumni attending, but we saw folks from Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue.  Penn State Chapter faithful in attendance included Debbie Downes and her daughter Kyleen (and Kyleen's  friend, Heather), Bob and Janie Gehman, John Glaser, and Rich Prim.  A special thanks goes to John for coordinating this activity for the chapter and making ticket arrangements.

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Fifth Third Field was sold out as usual but there was room in the Dragons Lair for all Big Ten alumni.  In addition to group seating, Big Ten alumni and their guests received Dragons Lair baseball caps and a chance to win a raffle.

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Here's a view of the Dragons Lair from behind third base.  See if your eyes are sharp enough to pick out our group.  Hint:  They're not wearing red!

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. . . and here they are, in case you didn't spot them in the photo above.  From left to right are Heather (Kyleen Downes' friend), Kyleen, Debbie Downes, Janie Gehman, John Glaser, and Rich Prim.  The couple seated in front of our row are Michigan alumni.  Unlike some experiences we've had with Wolverines in Ann Arbor, their friendliness and behavior were exemplary.

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Matt Klinker, a fast-ball hurling right-hander for the Dragons, started the game against the Kane County (Illinois) Cougars and is about to deliver a 98 mph pitch.  Klinker had a 6-4 record going into the contest but was relieved midway through the game.  The Dragons ultimately went down to defeat, 7-4.

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Here's a glimpse of the Dragons' bullpen.  This picture must have been taken early in the game — before Matt Klinker got into serious trouble — because these guys look pretty nonchalant.

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Bob and Janie Gehman have a 17-game package to watch the Dragons, and here we see one of their favorite entertainment groups — the irrepressible (Retirement) Village People doing their signature Y-M-C-A choreography and song.  What a hoot!

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Digging in at the plate is Dragons shortstop Angel Cabrera.  A few days after this game Cabrera was released by the Reds and the Dragons for his role in the Dayton-Peoria bruhaha on July 24th.

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Surprise!  Both Bob and Janie are taken by surprise as their Michigan State friend, Bill Buckey, suddenly appears and snaps this picture of them.  Rich Prim wonders what's happening and an amused Debbie Downes looks on.

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And here's the paparazzi himself, Bill Buckey.  Bill, his wife Caroline, daughter Erin, and son Stephen were all at the game.  And Stephen was lucky enough to win the Dragons Lair raffle.