Seminole State College will kick off the 2025 Trojan Baseball season with its annual “First Pitch” Banquet, set for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. The event brings together alumni, supporters and current team members.
Jeff Stych, a 1992 Trojan alumnus, will emcee the evening’s festivities. The program will open with an invocation led by current Trojan player Bennett Crafton and a greeting from SSC President Lana Reynolds.
This year’s banquet will honor anniversary teams from 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015, recognizing their contributions to the program’s legacy.
The keynote speaker for the event is Matt Hancock, a 2003 Trojan alumnus, who will speak about his journey from collegiate baseball to community leadership.
“Like everyone else, I wanted to go to Seminole to play professional baseball,” Hancock said. He pitched for two years under former Head Coach Eric Myers.
As he honed his talent on the field, he also developed a love for community involvement. While taking a leadership course, he was required to log volunteer hours. He spent time working at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum and lending a hand with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
He also met his wife, Tommie Jane Hancock, an All-American on the softball team at the College.
He earned a degree in Recreation Administration at Oral Roberts University and then was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2005. He spent two years in the minor leagues before an elbow injury ended his playing career.
He then began working for the YMCA of Greater Tulsa. Over 18 years, he held multiple leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer and Vice President of Youth Development.
Currently serving as the Director of Parks and Recreation for Tulsa County, Hancock also leads the Rotary Youth Leadership Program for Rotary District 6110 and serves on the boards of Tulsa Route 66 Main Street and Skiatook Youth Wrestling.
“This banquet is an important tradition for our baseball program,” Chambers said. “It’s a chance to celebrate our history, honor past teams and build excitement for the season ahead. We look forward to welcoming our alumni, families and community supporters to campus for this special evening.”
Dinner will be served, and all proceeds from the event will directly benefit the SSC Trojan Baseball program. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 per person or you may purchase an event table sponsorship for $225, which includes eight tickets. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Chambers at m.chambers@sscok.edu or the SSC Athletics Office at 405-382-9541.