FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern Athletics has announced that the Ninth Annual NSU Baseball Golf Classic will be named the Miles Mikolas NSU Baseball Golf Classic, and will now be held on December 14 at Grande Oakes Golf Club in Davie.
In its ninth edition, this tournament of baseball alumni, friends, family and program supporters returns to Grande Oaks for the fourth consecutive year, with former Shark and current St. Louis Cardinals All-Star pitcher Miles Mikolas further expanding his involvement, while also personally pledging a major financial gift in support to the NSU baseball program.
“It means a lot to me to give something back to the place where it all started, a program that gave me a chance to grow into the player I am today,” Mikolas said. “Now it’s my turn to help the program grow. I’m one of the very fortunate people being an athlete, and being able to give back was important to me. Nova Southeastern University took a chance on me and had my back. I’m extremely grateful for that.”
An NSU Hall of Famer, Mikolas is one of three classmates from the 2009 Sharks baseball team to reach baseball’s highest level and 2020 marked his third season with the Cardinals. He grew up just an hour up the Turnpike in Jupiter, attending Jupiter High School coincidentally just four miles from the Spring Training home of the Cardinals. Staying close to home to play under former NSU Head Baseball Coach and now-Director of Athletics Michael Mominey, Mikolas earned immediate entry into the Sharks pitching rotation and finished his career with a 15-8 record in 38 appearances. Following his stellar 2009 junior season at NSU that produced a 7-2 record and a 2.06 Earned Run Average, Miles was one of five Sharks chosen in the 2009 MLB draft and became the highest-drafted Shark to date – selected in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres and making his MLB debut in 2012.
Mikolas’ career has earned him opportunities in California with the Padres and then the Texas Rangers, before his performance in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants produced a 31-13 record and 2.18 ERA to bring him to St. Louis – going on to be named an All-Star after leading the National League in wins during the 2018 season. Mikolas was on the mound for Opening Day 2019 for the Cardinals and ended that year as the series-opening starter in both the National League Championship Series and Divisional Series for St. Louis – just before his induction into the NSU Athletics Hall of Fame last fall. In the shortened 2020 season, a preseason injury shut Mikolas down for the year, but he’s set to return for the Cardinals in 2021.
Initial Registration Information for the
Ninth Annual Miles Mikolas NSU Baseball Golf Classic
Registration for this year’s December 14 event at Grande Oaks will open soon. Once registration specifics are available, the information will be posted on the Official Event Page and shared across all NSU Athletics social media accounts. Please take note the playing field is currently limited due to local and state COVID-19 restrictions. Registration will be limited initially to 72 players and registrations beyond that will be placed on a waiting list – those on the waitlist will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament when gathering restrictions allow for a larger field. The tournament will follow PGA guidelines regarding gatherings and competition, more information can be found here.
Message from Hall of Fame Alum Miles Mikolas:
NSU Baseball Alumni, Family and Friends:
I am extremely excited to announce the date for the Ninth Annual NSU Baseball Golf Classic on December 14 at Grande Oaks and I want to start by thanking you for participating in this year’s event. By taking part, you are supporting a great group of student-athletes in the NSU baseball team. Your involvement and contribution not only will help these young men succeed on the field, but off of it as well. Your donation will help fund the 2021 season and will provide the team with all that is needed to compete for another championship. Your generosity will make a lasting impact on young men that will become valuable members of the South Florida community and we thank you again for making this a great experience for all at the tournament.
Welcome to the Shark community. Hit ’em straight!
