STATESBORO, Ga - The Georgia Southern University baseball program and head coach Rodney Hennon invite all baseball and Eagle fans alike to the 2018 Evening with the All-Stars on Friday, January 26, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in Georgia Southern's Nessmith-Lane Center.  In addition to a unique program, the event will include both a silent and live auction, cocktail hour, plated dinner and raffle drawing.

This year, the event will host special guest speaker and Major League All-Star, Fred McGriff.

A five-time All-Star, Fred McGriff remains one of the most recognizable players from the 1990's, and one who enjoyed a well-decorated 19-year Major League career as one of the League's premier sluggers and a World Series Championship with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Georgia Southern All-Stars. The Eagle Baseball program will honor their 2018 Wall of Fame honorees, Jason Cadenhead (1999-2003), Greg Dowling (2003-06), Matt Herring (2000-02), Eric Phillips (2009-12) and Everett Teaford (2004-06).

A silent auction and cocktail hour will open the Evening with the All-Stars at 6:30 p.m. Guests will take a seat at 7:00 p.m. for a plated dinner and the event program with a live auction and raffle drawing to follow. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets for the banquet are $75 for adults and include a cocktail hour, dinner and the opportunity to meet with Georgia Southern baseball student-athletes. Discounted tickets are available for guests ages 17 and under, as well as Eagle Baseball alumni.

A corporate table package is also available for groups and companies wanting an exclusive All-Star experience for only $800. The package includes seven event tickets with two passes to a private meet-and-greet with Fred McGriff before the event, seven complimentary drink tickets and Fred McGriff autographed memorabilia - two baseballs and one bat.

Raffle tickets for a custom golf cart by Statesboro Golf Carts and Whitfield Signs, or a $1,000 cash prize, are available for $10.

Event tickets can be purchased online at GSEagles.com/AllStar, by calling 1(800)GSU-WINS or by visiting the Athletic Foundation during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information regarding the schedule of events and ticket prices can be found online at GSEagles.com/AllStar.

The deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, January 17, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.

The Evening with the All-Stars is hosted by the Dugout Club. Proceeds benefit the Georgia Southern University baseball program to support the team on- and off the field as they continue to compete at the highest level and build leaders that positively impact the world.

About Fred McGriff
Between his popular "Crime Dog" nickname and his immensely successful, long-running endorsement of Tom Emanski's Defensive Drills video, Fred McGriff remains one of the most recognizable players from the 1990's, and one who enjoyed a well-decorated 19-year Major League career as one of the League's premier sluggers. Originally drafted by the New York Yankees in 1981 out of Jefferson High School in Tampa, Florida, McGriff debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986. A legitimate power threat from the start, McGriff topped the American League leaderboard in home runs with 36 in 1989. Following a trade to the San Diego Padres in 1991, McGriff hit a National League-leading 35 home runs and was named an All-Star – the first of five in his career.

After two and a half seasons with the Padres, McGriff experienced another trade, this time to the Atlanta Braves in 1993. Starting in 1994, he would make three straight All-Star appearances with the Braves. With McGriff anchoring Atlanta's offense, the Braves went on to win the World Series in 1995, their first as a franchise since 1957. The Tampa native then returned home in 1998 when the Devil Rays selected him in their expansion draft. After going deep 30 times in 1999, McGriff became only the 19th player in MLB history to hit 30 or more home runs in at least 10 seasons, and one of two to hit 30 or more home runs for five different teams.

McGriff retired after the 2004 season with 493 career home runs – exactly as many as Lou Gehrig. McGriff remains active in baseball, serving as a Special Assistant to the Braves Baseball Operations department.