Vauxhall, AB –

Please mark March 6^th on your calendar.  The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is excited to share with you news about our 4th Annual Academy Scholarship Awards and Fundraiser Banquet.  Our event showcases our student-athletes and features good food and fun.  Cocktails and appetizers will be served at 5:00 PM and the program will begin at 5:45 PM.  Tickets are $45.00/plate or $300.00/table of 8 and can be purchased by emailing Shannon Mossey at [email protected].

Our featured speaker will be Canadian – Denis Boucher, former Major League Baseball pitcher and current Team Canada coach.  Read below for a complete bio on Mr. Boucher.  A silent and live auction including unique items (golf packages, Fairmont condo weekend, signed jerseys, signed prints, signed baseballs/bats, concert tickets to name a few.  Raffles and door prizes will also be included to give all guests a chance to bid and win.  8 Scholarships and 4 additional awards will be presented, the most significant of these will be the prestigious $2000 Reno Lizzi Scholarship and commemorative ring.

Denis Boucher from Montreal, Quebec was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in August of 1987.  He was a minor league All-Star in 1988 and 1990 before making his major league Debut in April of 1991. Denis was a starting pitcher in the big leagues for 4 seasons…. the Toronto Blue Jays (1991), Cleveland Indians (1991-92), and Montreal Expos (1993-94).  Denis is one of only three Canadians to have played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos, the others being Matt Stairs and Rob Ducey.  Over his career, Denis pitched professionally for 10 seasons and he took the mound for an astounding 20 different professional teams over his career.  He also served as an ambassador for the Montreal Expos between 1998 and 2005 and special assistant to the coaching staff.  

Denis has now focused his attention to his family and coaching.  Denis currently serves as a Coach with Team Canada which has included the pitching coach for the last 2 World Baseball Classics, pitching coach for Team Canada at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and Professional Scout with the Washington Nationals. Denis also serves as the President of Minor Baseball in his area and coaches minor hockey throughout the winter.  He spends most of his time with his wife Isabelle Fornier and 4 children.