NFC Champion Head Coach, Augusta Native In Attendance Tonight

Augusta native and Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt will be in attendance tonight at Lake Olmstead Stadium when the Augusta GreenJackets open their 2009 home season with a 7:35 game against the Savannah Sand Gnats.

Whisenhunt is in town this evening to have his high school football uniform number retired and to speak at a Boy Scout dinner in his honor. Mayor Deke Copenhaver is expected to recognize Whisenhunt tonight by presenting him the key to the city at the dinner.

In his two seasons as Cardinals head coach, Whisenhunt has compiled a 20-15 record and led the Cardinals to the NFC Championship and the first Super Bowl in franchise history last season. Before joining the Cardinals, Whisenhunt spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers under head coach Bill Cowher, winning Super Bowl XL during the 2005 season.

A graduate of Georgia Tech, Whisenhunt spent nearly a decade as a player in the NFL before retiring to start a career coaching in college and the pros beginning in 1995. Prior to that, Whisenhunt starred in high school at the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta.

Team owner Cal Ripken Jr. will also be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and help the GreenJackets raise their 2008 South Atlantic League Championship banner. First pitch from is at 7:35 and the game will be broadcast on WRDW-AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. You may purchase seats by calling 706-922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.