OGLESBY— Among the students, scouts and fans in attendance at Thursday evening's Illinois Valley Community College mens basketball opener was a slightly out-of-place spattering of alumni, Diamondbacks merchandise and young children (plus a few adults) proudly wearing tape-on, paper handlebar moustaches.

In other words, Clay Zavada was in the house.

IVCCretired Zavada's uniform number in a ceremony held at halftime of the Eagles' home opener Thursday evening over St. Ambrose's JVsquad. Zavada himself was in attendance for the brief ceremony, as the one-time Streator Little Leaguer, STHSDiamond Dog and IVCCEagle's — and current Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher's — No. 35 became a lasting part of the college's history.

"I'd like to tell everyone thanks for coming out," Zavada told the crowd during halftime after receiving a standing ovation. "There's been a lot of sweat, a lot of tears, and not too much blood I don't think — I can't remember — working here in this gym. This is where it all started.

"Ihad a good time here. I made a lot of friends, met a lot of good guys."

Zavada pitched at IVCCduring the 2003 and 2004 seasons after his 2002 graduation from Streator Township High School. In his sophomore year under then-head coach Bob Koopmann, the southpaw compiled a 7-2 record and 74 strikeouts over his 57 innings, finishing with an earned-run average of 2.86.

He then transferred to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and was later chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 30th round of the 2006 MLBDraft. But Zavada left baseball to attend to family affairs after the death of his father in December of 2006. He returned to the game he loves with the unaffiliated Southern Illinois Miners at the start of the 2008 season and was quickly invited back into the Diamondbacks organization.

Less than a year later, Zavada was called up to the big league team, earning a win in his major league debut May 21. The Streator southpaw finished his rookie season with 49 appearances, a 3-3 record, 51 innings pitched and an ERAof 3.35.

Introducing Zavada on Thursday, IVCCathletics director and mens basketball coach Tommy Canale — himself a Streatorite — alluded to Zavada's non-rock-star demeanor despite the rock-star rise to fame his story, success and famous (and recently award-winning) handlebar moustache have given him.

"I know these types of things aren't easy for you,"Canale said before handing the microphone to Zavada, "but if you keep pitching like you did last year, we're going to have to have you back here again."

Zavada then took the mic and eyed the crowd, finding Luke Carls, one of his former teammates at IVCC, and making him stand up and accept a round of applause. After he finished speaking, Zavada signed autographs, answered questions and posed for pictures with a few dozen fans before halftime concluded.

Zavada's jersey will be framed and placed into the trophy cabinet at IVCC's gymnasium building. Canale said during the ceremony that Zavada is believed to be the first IVCC alum to play in a major U.S. sport.

"I just want to tell you guys thanks a lot," Zavada told the crowd. "This means a lot to me. Thanks for coming out for it."