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Wheaton College Athletics

Pfund_Retirement

Baseball

Wheaton Baseball to retire Lee Pfund's #17 in a ceremony on April 30

SCHEDULE NOTE: The CCIW baseball doubleheader between Wheaton and North Park that was scheduled for Saturday April 30 at 1:00 p.m. has been postponed. Due to a forecast for Saturday of 100-percent rain and a steady, soaking rain throughout the day - the two conference rivals will now face off on Monday May 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Lee Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream. Saturday's ceremony to celebrate the retirement of legendary head baseball coach Lee Pfund's #17 has been moved from Pfund Stadium to the Phelps Room in the basement of the Todd Beamer Center on the Wheaton campus. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday April 30.

Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton Baseball program is proud to announce that for the first time in its history, a number will be taken out of circulation and retired. The recipient of this honor will be honored with a number retirement ceremony on April 30 at the stadium which bears his name. Legendary baseball and men's basketball coach Lee Pfund will have his number 17 retired between games of Wheaton's doubleheader against North Park on April 30.

"I think it's incredibly important to honor Coach Pfund and have his number on the fence for everyone to see," noted head baseball coach Matt Husted. Husted continued, "I've met so many of his former players that rave about him and his mentorship and how important he was in their lives both when they were here and how he's stayed connected with them over the years. I've talked to guys who still have that significant connection with Coach even after 60 years. I don't think there's anyone more qualified for this honor than Coach. He's a wonderful man, a great friend and has been a terrific ambassador for Wheaton Baseball and Wheaton College."

A 1949 Wheaton graduate, Lee Pfund also was a pitcher in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization until a knee injury ended his career. His teammates included baseball legends Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. A member of Wheaton's Athletic Hall of Honor, Lee coached baseball from 1948-59 and from 1961-74. In 26 years, Pfund's baseball teams won 249 games and his 1951 team was the last Wheaton team to win a CCIW Championship. His 249 wins are the most in program history. A member of Wheaton's Athletic Hall of Honor, Lee is the father of three Wheaton alumni and Hall of Honor inductees: John Pfund '65, Kerry Pfund '71 and Randy Pfund '74.

9295Originally known as Legion Field, The Thunder baseball program opened Lee Pfund Stadium on April 7, 2012 in a doubleheader, fittingly against North Park University following renovations that included installation of eight light poles, state-of-the art A-Turf® artificial turf, new dugouts, a suspended cable backstop and a wall as part of the backstop. Since the opening of Lee Pfund Stadium, Wheaton has also added a permanent restroom and concession stand facility.

Senior pitcher Tom Bishop will be the last player to don the #17 jersey for the Thunder when the 2016 season comes to a close.

The public is invited to join Wheaton Baseball in celebrating Lee Pfund's number retirement ceremony on April 30. The first game of Wheaton's doubleheader against North Park is scheduled to begin at 1 PM with the second game to follow the retirement ceremony.

Wheaton is currently 19-11 this season with a 7-5 record in CCIW play. The Thunder sit in second place in the conference standings, one game behind conference leader North Central. Wheaton opens a three-game series against North Central on Friday night at 6 pm at Lee Pfund Stadium.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning on attending, please RSVP by Monday, April 25 to Lucy West at lucy.west@wheaton.edu
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Players Mentioned

Tom Bishop

#17 Tom Bishop

RHP
5' 11"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Tom Bishop

#17 Tom Bishop

5' 11"
Senior
R/R
RHP