WILMINGTON, North Carolina - Former American League umpire Rich Garcia will serve as the keynote speaker at the 10th annual UNCW Spring Training Baseball Banquet set for January 28, 2012.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the UNCW Baseball office at (910) 962-3570 or by email at scalfm@uncw.edu. Tickets cost $60 and a corporate table (seven tickets) cost $600.

Garcia served as an American League umpire for 25 years after first taking the field on opening day in 1975. During that time, he worked two All-Star games (1980, 1992), three Division Playoff series (1995, 1997 and 1998) and five American League Championships series (1978, 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1996).

In 1981, Garcia worked the first of four World Series when the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series title since 1955 by topping their archrival, the New York Yankees. Garcia also worked the 1984, 1989 and 1998 Fall Classics, serving as the Crew Chief in 1989 and 1998.

Garcia is one of seven umpires to work two perfect games.

Former Seahawk standout closer Blake Cross (2001-04) will also take the podium as the alumni representative. Cross sparked the Seahawks to NCAA tournament appearances in 2003 and 2004 while finishing his career with a school-record 32 saves.

In four seasons, Cross made 95 appearances, second all-time at UNCW, and posted a 2.23 ERA with 159 strikeouts in 145.1 innings. He was a two-time All-CAA honoree and in 2003 he earned All-CAA Tournament and All-Regional honors when the Seahawks reached the championship game of the Baton Rouge Regional in their first NCAA Tournament appearance.