Donors support causes: St. Jude and WINGS
With the season of giving nearing, two Memphis-area groups recently took the opportunity to get a jump on it.
In support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the College Football Playoff Foundation presented a check for $250,136.03.
And for WINGS Supportive Services of the West Cancer Center, school officials from St. Benedict, Christian Brothers and St. Agnes came together to raise $2,400. Dignitaries, including
the 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award winner, converged at a luncheon at St. Jude to make their record donation.
“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has been a terrific partner of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for many decades,”
president and chief executive officer at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said in a statement. “We are honored to have the College Football Playoff Foundation join with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl again this year in the mission of inspiring and supporting outstanding teachers and mentors that work diligently to train and educate the next generation of doctors, scientists, staff and patients at St. Jude. This very generous contribution will be utilized to support the educational needs of the St. Jude faculty, staff and students who are so dedicated to the children at St. Jude.”
Added the 2018 president of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl: “On behalf of all the members and volunteers of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, we are proud to continue our long-time support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with this record donation. We will also be featuring the great work of St. Jude during the ESPN telecast of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 31.”
When St. Benedict and CBHS met on the football field Oct. 12, it also brought together representatives who spearheaded the annual WINGS fundraiser. At halftime, St. Benedict SGA President
St. Agnes SGA Secretary and CBHS Leadership Council President presented a check to WINGS support services manager of public relations and
C. Shadyac Jr., Li, Wray Bill Kinkade, Priscilla Presley, Gerard Tavoletti Keri Burnette, Richard Matthew Sarah
special events.
In conjunction with the University of Tennessee’s West Cancer Center, the WINGS Supportive Care Division, established in 2015, offers patients assistance with spiritual support as well as nutritional and wellness services. They are provided with resources needed for their cancer journey at no additional cost.
Horn Lake defender named Mr. Football
Thanks to a partnership between the New Orleans Saints, the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Mississippi Association of Coaches, Horn Lake football player has
Nakobe Dean
been recognized as one of Mississippi’s six Mr. Football award winners for the 2018 season. Chosen by a statewide committee of high school coaches and football media members, Dean, a 6-1, 220-pound linebacker, was the Class 6A representative and the lone defensive player honored. Four were quarterbacks, and the other was a running back.
MHSAA reclassifies
The MHSAA recently reclassified. Region 1-6A in football will now include Lewisburg and welcome back Olive Branch after a two-year absence.
“Whenever a school moves up in classification, there’s going to be some anticipation and growing pains,” DeSoto County Schools athletics director
said. “The experience of competing in Region 1-5A with the likes of West Point and Grenada for so many years will definitely help Lewisburg in its transition to 6A.”
The Patriots and Conquistadors join county standbys DeSoto Central, Hernando, Horn Lake and Southaven. Jenkins said Oxford and Tupelo were slated to round out the eight-team region, but South Panola is scheduled to contest its pending move to Region 2. The two other DeSoto schools – Center Hill and Lake Cormorant – remain in Region 1-5A.
Jenkins 10 in Memphis honored by TSSAA
For nearly two decades, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association has presented the A.F. Bridges Awards to individuals across the state for their dedication to high school sports. Each of the nine athletic districts included seven awards, and upon the selection committee’s final say, the Shelby-Metro list of honorees reached double-digits.
School System Administrator of the Year: (Collierville Schools); Principals of the Year: (Munford) and (Arlington); Athletics Directors of the Year:
(Brighton) and (Whitehaven); Female Coaches of the Year: (Covington) and
(Southwind); Male Coach of the Year: (Hamilton) and Contributors of the Year:
(Covington) and the Shelby County Interscholastic Athletic Association track coordinator.
“Being recognized for one of these awards should be seen as one of the highest honors in high school athletics in our state,” TSSAA Executive Director
said in a statement. “Those who receive the awards truly reflect what high school athletics should be about, and that’s good sportsmanship and good citizenship.”
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com.
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