“Decades Of Dominance,” a tribute to Bears middle linebackers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher will be Friday at the Westin River North with the sponsorship of WMVP-AM 1000.
Tickets, which will benefit Catholic Charities, the Singletary DeMarco Leadership Zone and the Special Olympics, are $150 each, $250 per pair and $1,250 per table of 10. Call the “Decades Of Dominance” hot line at (312) 980-2500 or visit www.espnradio1000.com for more info.
Hall monitors: Former Illinois Wesleyan tackle Tony Blazine (1931-34 ) will be among six players and three coaches from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Aug. 9-10.
The other former players to be enshrined are defensive end Harry Carson from South Carolina State (1972-75), offensive tackle Rod Cason from Angelo State (1969-71), running back Kenny Gamble from Colgate (1984-87), quarterback Charlie Green from Wittenberg (1961-64) and tight end Brent Jones from Santa Clara (1982-85).
Former coaches to be inducted: Chris Ault of Nevada (1976-92 and 1994-95); Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta of the University of Tampa, Wichita State and Parsons (1952-67); and Fred Martinelli of Ashland College (1959-93).
Profiles in courage: Connie Payton is involved in a book project called “Stronger Than Cancer” and is looking for families to submit their inspirational stories about how they dealt with the disease. Due out this fall, the book is a collection of insights and advice from families who have been affected by this disease.
“My husband [Walter Payton] lost his battle to the disease in 1999, but through all the challenges, it was the support and love of our family that got us through,” she said.
To have your family’s story of cancer considered for the book, visit www.cancercenter.com/strongerthancancer. The deadline for entries is July 1.
Good cause: The Russell Maryland Foundation holds its annual gala this weekend. Maryland, the former NFL defensive tackle from Whitney Young High School, appeared at Friday’s celebrity reception at Con Desa Del Mar Banquet Hall in Alsip.
A football clinic will be held Saturday at Gately Stadium with several current and former NFL players slated to participate. All proceeds will go to the Russell Maryland Foundation charity fund. Call 773-978-5625 for info.
The good word: The Bears will conduct a two-day Downstate tour. “The Chicago Bears Central Illinois Touchdown Tour” is presented by Illinois Power and has four scheduled stops across central Illinois on June 24-25. Bears players and personnel are scheduled to visit Champaign, Decatur, Bloomington and Peoria. Scheduled to appear in all four locations are coach Dick Jauron, defensive end Bryan Robinson, quarterback Jim Miller and defensive back Jerry Azumah. Fans interested in attending one of the tour stops should call the Special Olympics hot line at 888-232-4389. Event tickets are $50 and all net proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Illinois. . . . The 15th annual Joe Gentile Golf Classic benefiting St. Ignatius High School will be July 15 at Villa Olivia. “Joe Gentile Day” at Wrigley Field will be Thursday when 1,000 students will be treated and Gentile throws out the ceremonial first pitch. . . . The annual March of Dimes Celebrity Golf Classic will be Thursday at Thunderhawk Golf Club in Beach Park. Les Grobstein of WSCR-AM 670 will conduct a live, three-hour (4-7 p.m.) celebrity interview show from the club.
———-
fmitchell@tribune.com
