Tigers president returns to alma mater to talk business
Jan. 10, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- The president and CEO of the Detroit Tigers will discuss his path from Kalamazoo to the upper echelons of major league baseball when he speaks at Western Michigan University this month as part of the Haworth College of Business Distinguished Speaker Series.
WMU alumnus David Dombrowski will present "From Broncos to Tigers--A Passion Pursued," beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Brown Auditorium of Schneider Hall. The address will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception.
Attendance at Distinguished Speaker Series lectures is by invitation only and is not open to the public or the campus community.
Dombrowski's career in organized baseball began immediately following his 1978 graduation from WMU's College of Business. His first post was as a scout and administrative assistant with the minor-league system of the Chicago White Sox, with whom he later assumed the post of director of player development. After three years in that system, he was promoted to assistant general manager of the White Sox, rising to vice president/baseball operations.
In 1986, Dombrowski joined the Montreal Expos as director of minor-league clubs. He rose to become vice president/player personnel and eventually general manager. In 1991, he was named the UPI Major League Executive of the Year. That same year, Dombrowski joined the Florida Marlins as executive vice president and general manager. He was the architect of the 1997 team that, in only its fifth year of existence, won the World Series. In 2000, he became president of that club.
In 1998, Dombrowski was honored as both a Distinguished Alumnus of WMU and the March of Dimes' Sports Executive of the Year. He returned to his Midwestern roots in 2001 when he assumed his current post as president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Tigers.
The Distinguished Speaker Series, now in its seventh year, brings corporate, education and government leaders to the Haworth College of Business to discuss a variety of topics of interest to the University and Southwest Michigan. Business and community leaders, as well as WMU faculty, staff and students, attend the events. Dr. Christopher M. Korth, WMU professor of finance and commercial law, is founder and chairman of the series.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu