ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough announced that Major League pitcher Danny Farquhar will serve as the guest speaker for the Flyers' 12th annual "First Pitch" Banquet on Saturday, January 26. Farquhar will be sending in a pre-recorded video for his message to the team.

The event will be held at the Flight Deck Banquet Room on the campus of Lewis University. The evening starts at 4:30 p.m. with a social hour and the program will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available. The 2018 award winners will be revealed at the banquet. A special appearance by several former Lewis student-athletes taking part in the Lewis Athletics "Academy of Coaches" will also take place.

Farquhar has pitched in the majors for seven years for Toronto, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Chicago White Sox. He went 1-1 in eight appearances with the White Sox in 2018 before suffering a season ending injury. Farquhar joined the Sox during the 2017 season and is 3-1 in 23 appearances with 21 strikeouts with the team.

"I could not be happier to have Danny Farquhar speak to the players, families and friends of Lewis Baseball," McDonough said. "Danny's inspirational story will truly resonate with anyone in attendance.  Having lost my mother to a brain aneurysm I know first-hand the physical and mental toll an experience like that can have and to see Danny overcome the challenge and get back to health is awesome in so many ways."

The program will also include a silent auction of various sports memorabilia as well as an opportunity to purchase team apparel. The cost to attend the banquet is $60 per person and $40 for anyone age 12 and under. Please RSVP by calling the baseball office at (815) 836-5254 or by emailing mcdonoti@lewisu.edu.