May 7, 2014
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State head football coach Rocky Long and current Arizona Cardinal Ryan Lindley, who was a four-year starting quarterback for the Aztecs, will throw out the honorary first pitches prior to Thursday's Major League Baseball game between San Diego and Miami. Game time is set for 7:10 p.m. PT at PETCO Park.
The two will be throwing out the first pitch as part of Aztec Night at the Padres. A crowd of over 400 SDSU season-ticket holders will join athletic director Jim Sterk, men's basketball coach Steve Fisher and Long at the Western Metal Building for a preview of the upcoming San Diego State seasons, as well as to take in the Padres game. Members of both the football and basketball staffs will also be in attendance. Although tickets remain for the baseball game, the Aztec Night at the Padres event has long been sold out.
Long has posted a 25-14 record in his first three seasons at San Diego State and is the winningest head coach through three campaigns in school history. He is the Mountain West leader in career victories, is a two-time conference coach of the year and has helped guide the Aztecs to a school-record four consecutive bowl games. Last season, SDSU won five of its last six games, culminating in a 49-24 victory over Buffalo in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Lindley started a school-record 49 games at quarterback for the Aztecs from 2008 through 2011. He earned the starting nod in both the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl and the 2011 New Orleans Bowl and ended his tenure as the conference leader in pass completions (961), pass attempts (1,732), passing yards (12,690), quarterback starts (49), total plays (1,822) and total offensive yards (12,415). Upon graduation, Lindley was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. In two seasons, he has played in six games and made four starts in the NFL.
The Aztecs return 13 starters off last season's squad, including preseason Mountain West defensive player of the year candidate and senior middle linebacker Jake Fely. San Diego State opens the 2014 campaign at home against Northern Arizona on Aug. 30. Season tickets, starting at $66, and single game tickets are currently on sale.
In addition to Thursday night's first pitch activities, the Aztecs will also be involved in Friday's pregame ceremonies. The San Diego State men's basketball team, which posted a 31-5 record, claimed the Mountain West regular season championship and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, will be recognized at the game. Senior point guard Xavier Thames, the league player of the year and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, will throw out the first pitch.
Both Long (Thursday) and Fisher (Friday) are expected to make in-game appearances on Fox Sports San Diego and The Mighty 1090 on the coverage of the games. Lindley is scheduled to appear on the Fox Sports San Diego pregame show on Thursday.