Irv Utz Stadium Dedication Ceremony Scheduled for Saturday, April 16

St. Louis, Mo., April 6, 2011 – The Washington University in St. Louis Department of Athletics and the W Club will host an Irv Utz Stadium dedication celebration and baseball alumni reunion on Saturday, April 16, at 11 a.m. in conjunction with the Bears’ game against Principia College.

More than 100 alums spanning several decades, along with Utz family members, will be in attendance to celebrate former Washington University head baseball coach Irv Utz and participate in two days of alumni festivities.

A welcome reception will be held on Friday, April 15, from 5-7 p.m., in the Washington University Hall of Champions, located in the Washington University Athletic Complex.

On Saturday there will be a barbecue during the Washington University and Principia College game, followed by the Irv Utz Stadium dedication ceremony and alumni reunion baseball game. During the Utz Stadium dedication Washington University Director of Athletics John Schael will unveil the commemorative plaque, officially renaming the Washington University baseball complex Kelly Field at Irv Utz Stadium.

A member of the Washington University Sports Hall of Fame, Utz was a coach and administrator at Washington University for more than 16 years. In 11 seasons as the head baseball coach, Utz compiled an overall record of 162-66 (.711). He also spent time as Washington University’s head football coach, assistant football coach and assistant athletic director.

Utz was an All-American football player at the University of Michigan, leading his team to a 19-1-2 overall record from 1921-23, winning the Big Ten Championship in 1922 and again in 1923. Prior to arriving at Washington University he spent time coaching football and baseball at the University of Wisconsin (1925-34) and the University of California (1935-46).

Utz passed away in December 1963 and was elected into the Washington University Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.