SRU to host former major leaguer Alex Rodriguez April 27

The University Program Board will host “Mindset of a Champion: A Moderated Discussion with Alex Rodriguez” April 27 at the Smith Student Center.

April 17, 2017

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Alex Rodriguez, considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time, is coming to Slippery Rock University. However, he won't be playing shortstop or third base for the Rock baseball team.

Rather, Rodriguez will appear at 8 p.m., April 27 in the Smith Student Center Ballroom for "Mindset of a Champion: A Moderated Discussion with Alex Rodriguez." The appearance is hosted by the University Program Board.

The event will include 45 minutes of moderated discussion followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 for SRU students with a valid SRU ID and $5 for the general public.

Rodriguez, who is not on a Major League Baseball roster this season after 22 years with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, is in the midst of a speaking tour that includes corporate events and visits to college campuses.

According to Greater Talent Network Inc., Rodriguez' speakers bureau agency, the former Gold Glove Award winner will take the audience on a journey through "the rise, fall and continuous path of resilience and hard work which has helped him to rebuild his role as a team leader and asset to his sport and community."

Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star who ranks fourth all-time with 696 career home runs, admitted in 2009 to using steroids earlier in his career. He last played in August 2016 for the Yankees, a team he won a World Series championship with in 2009 and continues to serve as a senior adviser.

"You either love him or you hate him, just because of the steroid allegations," said Ryan Ferguson, a senior marketing major from Apollo who serves as UPB director of speakers.

According to Ferguson, SRU pursued Rodriguez based on surveys that asked students for feedback about potential speakers to invite to campus.

"He's going to primarily focus on his career as a Yankee, and with that he's going to touch on his steroid allegations," Ferguson said. "Then he's going to switch gears and talk about all his business ventures."

Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of A-ROD Corp., a private holding company with businesses ventures in real estate, high-end fitness centers and automotive dealerships. He is also involved with philanthropic initiatives.

According to The Greater Talent Network website, Rodriguez will share anecdotes about the triumphs and troubles that come with balancing sports and celebrity, and his "mindset of a champion" philosophy, and how it applies to success both on and off the field.

For more information, visit the UPB website at: www.srupb.com.

The UPB is a student-run organization that schedules concerts and other entertainment offerings on campus.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu