Round Rock Mayors To Throw Ceremonial First Pitches April 5

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Opening Weekend and the Round Rock Express 15th anniversary festivities continue Saturday at Dell Diamond as the Express honors the four mayors holding office during the team's existence: Charlie Culpepper (1993-1999), Robert Stluka (1999-2002), Nyle Maxwell (2002-2008) and current mayor Alan McGraw (2008-current). All four mayors will throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to game against the Oklahoma City Redhawks at 6:05 p.m.

Catching the four first pitches will be four men integral to the history of the Express franchise: Express owner Don Sanders, owner and CEO Reese Ryan, the original General Manager and former President Jay Miller and the first Express manager in team history Jackie Moore.

Culpepper was very instrumental in bringing minor league baseball to Round Rock, and in 2000, Stluka followed through on his predecessor's work as the Express made its debut as the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Maxwell played a pivotal role in the organization's transition into a Triple-A franchise in 2005, not to mention the work he did to bring vast expansions to Dell Diamond, including the Nyle Maxwell Home Run Porch and adding six additional suites. Since taking office in 2008, McGraw has been an ardent supporter of the Express, overseeing Dell Diamond's third-level press area expansion, as well as the addition of the very popular Intel Club.

Following the game, Bob Schneider will be performing live at the ballpark as part of St. David's Post Game Concert Series presented by Dell.

Express games are broadcast on The Horn 104.9 FM and streamed live online at www.hornfm.com.

For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Mayoral Profiles
The city of Round Rock made significant strides under Charlie Culpepper's leadership during the mid-1990s. In 1994, Dell announced the relocation of its world headquarters from Austin to Round Rock, resulting in a significant jump in the city's tax base. The Round Rock Dragons brought home a high school state championship in 1997. And in 1998, voters approved the use of hotel-motel tax revenue to fund a minor league baseball stadium and conference center. Texas legend Nolan Ryan and his ownership group then brought a Double-A baseball franchise, later named the Express, to Round Rock.

When Robert Stluka took over for Culpepper, he wasted no time in continuing the rapid expansion of the city. La Frontera, a master-planned, multi-use commercial business/retail/housing center, broke ground in Round Rock not long after the newly appointed mayor took office. The massive project, which would cover over 330 acres, would go on to bring a great deal of new business to the area. In 2000, the Clay Madsen Recreation Center opened to the public, and the highly anticipate Round Rock Express made their debut in a brand new stadium, Dell Diamond.

Nyle Maxwell accomplished a great deal during his seven-year administration. In 2003, Construction began on a series of toll roads, including SH45, and Round Rock laid claim to being the "Sports Capital of Texas" in a new tourism and marketing campaign that targeted youth and recreational sports. The following year, Seton and Scott and White announced plans to build new medical centers in the city, and in 2005, classes commenced at the Round Rock Higher Education Center- a shared venture between Texas State University and ACC. 2006 was another eventful year under Maxwell as Round Rock Premium Outlets opened, the Baca Center opened, and the Central Texas Turnpike System opened a series of connected toll roads in Williamson County and Travis County including SH45, SH 130, and 183A. AW Grimes Road, which interconnects much of Round Rock opened in 2007, as did Scott & White Hospital and IKEA, the home furnishings superstore.

Alan McGraw, the current mayor of Round Rock, took office in 2008 and continued to build and grow the city. In his first year in office, Seton opened its regional medical center, Texas A&M broke ground on its medical school campus, and Texas State began building its nursing school campus. His second year saw Texas A&M Health Science Center open its Round Rock Campus, and his third year ACC opened for classes. By this time in 2010, the population had grown from 61,136 in 2000 to 99,887 and showed no signs of slowing down. The Play for All Abilities Park opened in 2012, providing recreation for children of all abilities, and earlier this year, the Round Rock Sports Center opened its doors to the public.