WKU News

WKU Baseball, Army ROTC, and Military Student Services, are partnering with the WKU Mary E. Hensley Lecture Series to bring the Louisville Slugger Warriors to the Hill. The Warriors are the first and only competitive amputee baseball team in the country. Players are retired members of the armed forces and former NCAA athletes. This two-day event, October 10-11, is open to the public, and will elevate community courage, perseverance, and the love of America’s favorite pastime.

On Friday, October 10, WKU will host an exclusive screening of the Warriors’ winning documentary, Curveballs… Secrets to the Game of Life. Each player in the film has overcome life-changing physical challenges, from combat injuries and accidents to congenital conditions and childhood illness. Some team members wear prosthetics; others play with missing limbs or implanted supports. Together, they show that neither the game nor the human spirit has limits. There will be a Q&A with the team afterwards. This event is free and open to the public. It will start at 6:00pm in the Jody Richards Auditorium on WKU’s campus.

The Warriors multi-city national tour will culminate with a scrimmage against the Hilltopper Baseball team on Saturday, October 11. Everyone is invited to Nick Denes Field at 1:00pm to watch this exciting game. Admission is free, but there are reserved and VIP seats available for purchase starting on July 22. Proceeds from reserve tickets and community donations will support WKU scholarships and local youth baseball.

You can learn more about both events and how to donate to the cause at https://www.wku.edu/hensley/louisville-slugger-warriors.php. 

The WKU Mary E. Hensley Lecture Series honors Mary E. Vass Hensley (1906–1966), a dedicated educator, active citizen, and mother of five. Her 39-year career included serving as teacher, janitor, superintendent, and coach at a one-room school in Clay County and later teaching English and History in Hart County. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky State College in 1952 and her master’s in 1958.