1st Pitch Dinner - Silent Auction

With the current global health situation we are unable to hold our Annual 1st Pitch Dinner and Silent Auction, which is a major part of our programs fundraising, we have set up a donation page where you can support the Eagles --> Link: https://donate.onecause.com/nccubaseballfirstpitch . You can also support the North Carolina Central University Baseball program by participating in this silent auction where all funds will go directly to the program and student athletes on the team.

The North Carolina Central University baseball program traces its roots back to the early 1900s. In fact, baseball was the first sport initiated at NCCU, at what was then known as National Religious Training School and Chautauqua in the 1910-1911 season. The baseball program has come and gone throughout the 20th century, remaining a prominent sport from its inception until 1975, when the program was dropped.

In 2006, the NCCU Athletics Department decided to make the jump from the NCAA's Division II level to Division I. With that jump, baseball was brought back once again after a 32-year hiatus. The first game back from the long hibernation took place on February 7, 2007 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park against Wingate University.

A Message from our Head Coach Jim Koerner

"On behalf of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff of the NC Central Baseball program, I thank you for your support. This time every year, we begin to gear up for the upcoming baseball season and the NC Central “First Pitch Dinner”. Proceeds from the Dinner provide critical resources that allow the baseball student-athletes a first-class Division I experience. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to gather for our annual Dinner this year; however, we must continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes as we are slated to begin play in February.

As we look to ‘move the needle’ for the program, one of the major needs surrounds facility enhancements. Playing in the historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP) is a phenomenal opportunity; however, improvements are needed. After careful evaluation, we have concluded that a covered Hitting & Pitching facility will greatly enhance our player development initiatives and help NC Central Baseball soar to the next level. As we continue to place players in professional baseball, our ability to train our athletics in the most efficient and state of the art manor will only further our student-athletes ability to reach their potential.

Understanding that we have this enormous need, as well as the unfortunate reality that we cannot host our annual fundraising dinner, we have decided to launch the “First Pitch” giving campaign. This campaign will run from November 20, 2020 to February 12, 2021, with a goal to raise $50,000 in support of building the Hitting & Pitching facility.

As the head baseball coach at NC Central, I ask for your support of this effort. We are not able to accomplish this without you. Although it is a sizable challenge, it is achievable, and together we can hit a HOME RUN. Again, thank you and we look forward to seeing you all at the DAP."