Contact: Susan Helm (Department of Surgery) 217-545-7012
Karen Carlson (School of Medicine) 217-545-2155

October 1, 2012

Cardinal’s Manager to Headline Simmons Cancer Institute’s “SIU Men’s Night Out”

Men’s health screenings and information will be the focus of the 8th men’s health event, “SIU Men’s Night Out,” featuring World Champion St. Louis Cardinal’s manager Mike Matheny.
The educational event for men begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 8, at Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., Springfield.
Mike Matheny was named the 49th manager in the St. Louis Cardinals franchise history on November 14, 2011, succeeding Tony LaRussa. Matheny, at age 41, became the youngest active manager in the majors. A veteran of 13 seasons in the majors, Matheny was drafted out of the University of Michigan by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th round of the 1991 draft. He made his Major League debut in 1994 and spent five seasons with Milwaukee before signing a free-agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999. Matheny went on to sign with the Cardinals for the 2000 season and spent five years with them, earning trips to the postseason in four of those five seasons, including a National League championship in 2004. As a Cardinal, Matheny appeared in 611 games as catcher.
The four-time Rawlings Gold Glove recipient holds the Major League catching record for consecutive errorless games (252) and for consecutive errorless changes (1,565). His career was cut short while playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2006, due to complications from repeated concussions.
The “Men’s Night Out” program begins with a dinner and screening opportunities by various health care organizations. Activities include grilling demonstrations and opportunities for autographed baseballs and grills as door prizes. All participants will receive a souvenir t-shirt.
At 6:30 p.m., the educational program will begin. Dr. Brad Schwartz, SIU professor of urology and director of urologic laparoscopy and endourology, will lead the event and introduce the health services available to men at the SIU School of Medicine. Dr. Andrew Varney, professor and residency program director of SIU’s internal medicine department, will speak on general men’s health topics, including diet, exercise and heart health. Dr. Tobias Köhler, assistant professor of urology, will discuss erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostates.
The evening will end with Matheny, who will speak about his baseball career and concussion syndrome, as well as his managerial career. He will also field questions from the audience.
Sponsors for SIU Men’s Night Out are Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU, SIU HealthCare, Memorial Medical Center, St. John’s Hospital, Bank of Springfield and Noonan True Value.
Tickets are $15 each. Men ages 21 and older may order online at www.siumed.edu/cancer. Tickets will also be sold at all Bank of Springfield, Noonan True Value and McCormick’s Smokehouse Restaurant Springfield locations.
Tickets are also available for an additional event, an Evening with the Cardinal Legend, Mike Matheny. This event will be held from 5-6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 8. For $100, ticket holders will have an informal dinner with the speaker and an autograph opportunity with Matheny. Tickets are available online at www.siumed.edu/cancer. For additional questions, call Annette weekdays at 217-545-7133.
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