Viewpoint Series brings Ozzie Smith to Modern Woodmen Park

A beautiful ballpark, great summer weather and a chance to meet and listen to one of the greatest St. Louis Cardinals baseball players ever; that’s the winning combination Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) has put together for its next installment of the Viewpoint Distinguished Speakers Series.

St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will be the featured speaker in a very special August 22 edition of Viewpoint to be held at Modern Woodmen Park. Smith will be speaking at 5 p.m. as part of a full afternoon of family-friendly activities.

EICCD and the Quad City River Bandits are partnering on Smith’s appearance. Entitled A Day at the Park with the Wizard, the concession stands, kids activities and everything else visitors enjoy at a River Bandits game will be open and available. Earlier in the afternoon, Smith will serve as honorary coach at a youth sports clinic beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Further details about the clinic, including registration, will be available at a later date.)

“We spoke with our Viewpoint sponsors and really wanted to do something fun that would open it to a wide audience,” EICCD Chancellor Dr. Pat Keir said. “What better way to accomplish that than a day at the ballpark with one of the most well-known ball players of our time? We’re very excited to be able to provide a Viewpoint speaker and event that the whole family can enjoy.”

Smith will deliver his speech from home plate. Baseball’s Wizard of Oz, will borrow the themes for his inspirational presentation of heart, courage and intelligence from his namesake movie, The Wizard of Oz.

Dr. Keir also expressed her appreciation to the QC River Bandits organization for their willingness to participate in the event.

“Their cooperation with us in this effort is really what’s made it possible,” she said. “We hope the entire community comes out to enjoy the day.”

Seating for the event is general admission, $15 for adults, $10 for students and military personnel, and children under five are free. Tickets are available through the River Bandits box office.

EICCD’s Viewpoint Series was begun two years ago with the goal of bringing nationally and internationally-known speakers to the Quad Cities. Past speakers have included NBC News personality Tom Brokaw, former Chicago Bears linebacker and current San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, Academy-Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis, best-selling author Scott Turow and the first female President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

Ozzie Smith
August 22, 2010