The Second Annual Night of Champions will bring sports fans together, as St. Louis Cardinals legendary catcher Mike Matheny headlines the 2025 event on Friday, August 8 at 7 p.m., courtesy of lead sponsor Cannon GMC Buick of Cleveland.

"We are delighted to welcome Mike Matheny as our guest and featured speaker for our upcoming Night of Champions event," said Director of Athletics Mike Kinnison. "I feel our Delta State patrons and supporters will enjoy hearing his insight and experience. It promises to be an enjoyable night as he shares his life experiences in all these areas."

The MLB veteran appeals to a myriad of interests in which all Delta State sports fans will appreciate, including professional baseball player and manager, philanthropist, believer, author, and youth sports advocate.

Matheny is most notably known for his time behind the dish with the Cardinals from 2000-04 where he was a three-time Gold Glove recipient, adding another in 2005 while catching for the San Francisco Giants. He later began his managing career with his former team, the Cardinals, from 2011-2018, followed by a stint with the Kansas City Royals from 2020-22.

Matheny, the philanthropist, formed The Catch 22 Foundation in 2003, alongside his wife, Kristin, with the primary goal of enriching the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them. A two-time author, Matheny wrote and published the New York Times bestselling book The Matheny Manifesto in 2015. His second book, The Dad Coach, was released in March 2025.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kel Lange, Athletic Development Officer, at 662-846-4300.

Stay tuned to gostatesmen.com for more information on Mike Matheny and A Night of Champions.