John Grisham to speak at Delta State

This Monday night, February 11, John Grisham will be speaking at a fundraiser for the Delta State University baseball team. Former Statesmen head coach Boo Ferriss and Grisham go back a long way (Grisham walked-on to the Statesmen baseball team but was cut by Ferris because John "couldn't hit a curveball") and the event should be great for the program, the school, and our community. It will be a busy evening of meet-and-greets culminated by a dinner and presentation by the author about his path and how the Delta State baseball program was its start.

I am very excited not only because I am a baseball lover, but because the university has asked me to capture a very specific image they would like to use in a University publication. Before all the hoopla begins, Coach Ferriss will be meeting with Grisham so that they can visit a bit in private. He'll also be showing the author the new museum built at the entrance of the baseball complex which bears his name. It is during this time that school officials hope to capture an image of the two men that illustrates the admiration and love they share.

It will be my job to deliver this image. The catch--I only have about 20-30 minutes and I can't direct them in any way. As a matter of fact, school officials would prefer that I be so incognito that Coach Ferriss and Mr. Grisham not even know that I am there. I'm not sure I can pull off a disappearing act, but I will certainly do my best. It will be famous author John Grisham, Boston Red Sox Hall-of-Famer Boo Ferris, and me. They will be catching up on old times, and I will be doing my best to record the meeting without interfering in it. I'm nervous about delivering the image the school wants, but very excited about the opportunity.

If you are going to be in the area and might want to attend the dinner, tickets are $100 to the event and are available at the Delta State Department of Athletics or online at www.GoStatesmen.com. For more information, please contact DSU Athletics at (662) 846-4289 or email them at athletics@deltastate.edu.