Nov. 3, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV baseball second baseman CJ Lang was signed by the Chicago White Sox and he will report to the club for spring training next year in Tucson, Ariz., where he will later likely be assigned to a minor league club.

Lang played for the Rebels in 2005 and 2006, helping the Rebels win the Mountain West Conference tournament tile during the 2005 season. He spent the past summer playing for the Reno Silver Fox of the Golden Baseball League, an independent professional league.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity," Lang said. "My family has been very supportive of me and I want to keep going and keep playing."

Lang was a slick-fielding infielder in his two years for the Rebels and as a senior he led UNLV with a .362 batting average, 85 hits and 16 stolen bases. In Lang's first year with the Silver Fox he hit .257 with five triples and 33 RBI while playing shortstop. Lang also finished third in the GBL Rookie of the Year voting.

"It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," UNLV head coach Buddy Gouldsmith said. "He has worked hard and has performed well enough to deserve this opportunity. I couldn't be more excited for him and his family."

Lang is back on campus at UNLV working out while also taking classes toward earning his degree in university studies. The White Sox open spring training on Feb. 28, at Tucson Electric Park as part of the Cactus League.

"I have been working out here and will continue to do that while also going to class," Lang said. "It will be nice to have my degree to fall back on once I am done playing."