Bowling
Athletes Helping AthletesNFL Retired Players and Special Olympics Athletes Unite for “Bowl with Champions” Fundraiser
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2008) – Members of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Retired Players Phoenix Chapter are teaming up with Special Olympics Arizona in a “Bowl with Champions” charity bowling tournament today from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Brunswick Zone XL Gilbert, located at 1160 S. Gilbert Road.
The bowling tournament will feature teams of Retired NFL Players, Special Olympics athletes and registered sponsors. Retired NFL Players expected to attend include Joe Perry, Rob Moore, Earl Edwards, Joe Jones, Frank Kush, JD Hill, Nick Lowery, Darren Woodson, Eric Swann, and many more.
“This extraordinary event has been organized as a way to bring greater awareness to the amazing Special Olympics athletes,” said Earl Edwards, president of the NFLPA Retired Players Phoenix Chapter.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Special Olympics Arizona, an organization that provides children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to enjoy all the rewards that stem from athletic activities.
“From the beginning, this relationship was a perfect fit—professional NFL athletes and coaches knowing the challenges and rewards of competing and helping Special Olympics athletes,” said Tom Fraker, CEO and president of Special Olympics Arizona. “In other words athletes helping athletes. Special Olympics athletes like all young athletes look up to those who play professional sports.”
A special guest will include Jack Lingle, former coach of Marshall University's football team, whose true story is reflected in the movie, “We Are Marshall,” based on the 1970 plane crash of Marshall's entire football team and coaching staff with Lingle assuming the position of coach in the aftermath of that tragedy.
The bowling event will feature a silent auction, prizes and raffle drawings. Sponsors have joined the event at different levels, ranging from $1,500 to $7,500, or $300 for an individual participant. The event is open to the public to offer donations at the door to be a spectator. More information on this event can be found at http://www.soaz.org/fundraisers/Tournaments.asp.
“We are honored to host and support this fundraiser at Brunswick Zone XL to bring greater awareness of these two very important organizations,” said Warren Hardie, president of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards.
About NFLPA Retired Players Organization
The Retired Players organization is a division of the NFLPA formed in 1984 to provide an active voice for former players of all ages. Membership is open to all players who signed an NFL contract. There are 36 chapters nationwide.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics Arizona is part of the world's leading program of sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities, and boasts a 30-year track record of creating positive attitudes toward its athletes worldwide, and a commitment to athlete empowerment, dignity and leadership. www.soaz.org.
About Brunswick Bowling & Billiards
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation has been a leader in the recreation business for more than 160 years. Founded in 1845 to make billiards tables, Brunswick Corporation is a Fortune 500 company and the leader in bringing Genuine IngenuityTMto everything it makes. Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, one of the largest operators of full-service bowling and family recreation centers in North America, is a full-line supplier of bowling equipment, supplies and consumer products, and designs billiards tables and accessories. For more information on Brunswick Zone XL Gilbert, call 480-813-BOWL (2695) or visit www.bowlbrunswick.com.
For more information, contact:
Cushman/Amberg Communications
Mary Pettersen or Katie Hasse
312-217-0519 or mpettersen@cushmanamberg.com
