Tommy Lasorda to Speak At UB On April 22

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers for 20 seasons and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, will speak at 8 p.m. April 22 in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

Lasorda will be the final speaker in the 12th annual Distinguished Speakers Series presented by UB and the Don Davis Auto World Lectureship Fund. The UB School of Management Alumni Association is sponsor of the lecture. Series sponsor is the UB undergraduate Student Association.

For information and tickets, call the Center for the Arts box office at 716-645-ARTS. Tickets also are available at TicketMaster locations or by calling TicketMaster at 716-852-5000.

Now third vice president of the Dodgers, Lasorda has entered his 49th season with the organization. As team manager, he led the squad to two World Championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles.

Named Manager of the Year in 1997, he became the 14th manager to be elected into the national Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lasorda's enthusiasm for the players, fans and the game of baseball has earned him recognition as one of the sport's most popular ambassadors.

He makes more than 100 speeches and appearances annually and is a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

Lasorda has received numerous awards, including several honorary doctorate degrees.

Affiliate sponsors of the Distinguished Speakers Series are Citibank and the University Bookstore.

Contributing series sponsors are the UB Alumni Association, University Union Activities Board, Buffalo/Niagara Marriott, Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Business First of Buffalo, the UB Center for the Arts and Makin' Copies.