White Sox Team with NIU for Benefit Auction

Content originally published by sportscollectorsdaily.com on 22 February 2008

The Chicago White Sox will wear Northern Illinois University baseball caps in their opening spring training game on Wednesday, February 27 vs. the Colorado Rockies.

The team is wearing the NIU caps to honor and remember the victims of the recent campus tragedy, their families and loved ones, and the entire NIU community. After the game, White Sox players will autograph the caps, which will be shipped to NIU where they will be auctioned off to benefit the university's February 14 Student Scholarship Fund. The fund will award five scholarships in memory of the victims.

Members of the White Sox also will autograph an NIU baseball jersey and cap, and a White Sox baseball bat, which will be auctioned off on whitesox.com. All proceeds from the auction, which starts on March 10 and will include two additional autographed White Sox items, will go to the scholarship fund.

"It is our way of showing a little bit of support and understanding," said Ken Williams, White Sox senior vice president and general manager. "While it's a simple gesture on our part, we just want to let the NIU community know that it continues to be in our thoughts and prayers."

Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen wore NIU hats Saturday when the team's pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. Williams says the tribute is the team's way of showing a little support and understanding.

Steve Kazmierczak shot five students dead in a university lecture hall last week before committing suicide. Another 16 people were injured.

"To be certain, the support that the Chicago White Sox organization has shown for Northern Illinois University during this incredibly difficult time has truly touched our hearts," said Dr. Jim Phillips, Northern Illinois University associate vice president and director of athletics. "Efforts such as this by the White Sox go a long way toward helping the NIU community begin the healing process."