WARRENSBURG, Mo. (November 2, 2020) - University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball is very excited to announce that Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, will be the keynote speaker at the 2021 First Pitch Banquet.

Kendrick was named President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in March 2011. The NLBM is the world's only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its profound impact on the social advancement of America.

"I'm tremendously honored to be invited to deliver the keynote address and share stories about the history of the Negro Leagues and the important work of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with the student-athletes, friends and supporters of this great baseball program," Kendrick said.

His appointment marked a celebrated return to the NLBM after a 13-month departure. Kendrick became the museum's first Director of Marketing in 1998 and was named Vice President of Marketing in 2009 before accepting the post as Executive Director of the National Sports Center for the Disabled-Kansas City in 2010. Since his return, Kendrick has assumed responsibility for the museum's day-to-day operations and for the development and implementation of strategies to advance the mission and financial stability of the 501 c3, not-for-profit organization.

"The Mules are honored to have the opportunity to welcome Mr. Kendrick as the keynote speaker for the 2021 First Pitch Banquet", said Mules Baseball head coach Kyle Crookes. "His work and leadership as the President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum reflect the values and principles that we aspire to achieve in our program. Through Mr. Kendrick, the museum does an incredible job of educating people on the impact of those whose lives bettered the game. His energy in continuing to keep their stories alive, and the passion he shares them with, impacts all who he comes into contact with which makes the game of baseball better today through lessons of the past. We could not think of a better way to start the season than spending time listening to and learning from Mr. Kendrick."

The 2021 First Pitch Banquet will take place on Saturday, January 16th 2021 in the Multipurpose Building on the campus of the University of Central Missouri. This year's date will mark the fifth annual event which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Central Missouri baseball program and reunited hundreds of Mules alumni, family, and friends. 

Registration is now open and can be completed at the link above. Mules Baseball will be announcing the 2021 Diamond Club inductees in the near future. To stay updated on the First Pitch Banquet and Mules Baseball, follow the team on Facebook and Twitter. For questions, please contact Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Mason at jmason@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4454.