Feb. 1, 2004

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Iowa Cubs owner Michael Gartner will be the featured speaker at this year's inaugural University of Iowa Baseball Lead-off dinner Monday evening.

Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech, but a fall down a flight of stairs and resulting surgery will force him to miss the event.

Fans of the Hawkeyes attending the 2004 Iowa Baseball Lead-Off Dinner will also have the opportunity to meet the Hawkeyes and their new coach, Jack Dahm.

Gartner is also a former president of NBC News and former president and editor of the Des Moines Register. He is currently a co-owner of the Ames Tribune, in addition to being the owner of the Iowa Cubs.

Tickets remain for the event to be held at the Iowa City Sheraton Monday night.