Diamond Dinner Kicks off 2009

Jan. 30, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma baseball season team kicked off the 2009 season with the Sixth Annual Diamond Dinner on Friday night.

A crowd of 250 people was on hand to celebrate the beginning of the new season and recognize the program's past success.

Former Sooner and 1989 Big Eight Player of the Year, Darron Cox, was on hand and received special recognition as the 2009 honoree.

Kenny Mossman, Associate Athletics Director for Communications, emceed the event, which was held at the U.S. Postal Training Center in Norman.

Following Cox's recognition, he participated in a question and answer session and received a framed No. 25 Oklahoma jersey.

In addition, OU head coach Sunny Golloway previewed the season in between videos which highlighted each class of the 2009 squad.

Photos | Schedule | Roster

"This is always a special night for our program," said Golloway. "We are always honored when former players come back and help us celebrate the great tradition of this program. I want to especially thank Darron Cox, our 2009 honoree, for being with us tonight."

The Sooners, recently ranked No. 16 in Baseball America's preseason poll, are set to begin team practices on Sunday, Feb. 1 in prepration for the season opener on Feb. 20 against Western Illinois. That four-game series with the Leathernecks will take place at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman. The series marks the first time OU has opened a season at home since 2003.

Oklahoma is once again primed to make another run at the Big 12 title and in the NCAA Tournament as it returns nearly the entire pitching staff as well as seven position starters.

"It would be an understatement to say that we are excited to get started," added Golloway. "We are battle tested as a team and this season has an opportunity to be special. We have a great blend of talent and we're looking forward to building off last season's postseason success."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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