By Delinda Lombardo on
Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson and his Grand Kids Foundation will host their second annual Celebrity Shootout on Saturday, January 17, at Lake Orion High School north of Detroit.
“Now more than ever, Michigan’s public schools need assistance,” Granderson said. “The goal of this year’s event is to raise funds to help the individual students in these public schools, whether it’s for assistance with school supplies or college scholarships. Last year, I was so proud of the way the community not only came out to support this event, but to support the inner-city schools in Michigan. The players had fun, the fans had fun and the schools benefited. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better.”
‘Bigger and better’ will include a full weekend of activities, such as an evening of food and comedy the night before tip-off. Granderson will again act as coach for the basketball game, which will pair up former Detroit-area athletes with local and national celebrities.
Expected to take part are former University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr, WNBA Detroit Shock forward Sheryl Ford, former Detroit Lions All-Pro players Herman Moore and Lomas Brown, former Michigan football and NFL standout Tyrone Wheatley, former Super Bowl MVP and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, UFC star “Sugar” Rashad Evans, professional boxing super-middleweight Andre Dirrell, 2008 Miss America winner Kirsten Haglund, ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson, 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year Sara Jean Underwood, Joe Faris (Project Runway) and some dunking acrobatics courtesy of And1 Mixtape Tour star “Springs.”
More athletes and personalities are expected to commit as the event nears.
“This is an amazing group of early commitments for this game — both players and coaches,” Granderson said. “We not only have a lot of great athletes, but we have a lot of great personalities, which will make this a fun atmosphere for not only those of us involved in the game, but the fans that will be coming out.”
Tickets to the game are $20 for adults and $15 for students with a student ID, including collegians. A VIP ticket for $60 includes access to the after-party. Each ticket at any level will be put into a raffle for prizes such as a private batting practice with Granderson, Tigers tickets and gift certificates to local businesses.
Tickets for the dinner and comedy show run at $75 per person, or $110 with access to the afterglow party, and must be purchased by Jan. 6.
Those who wish to attend all the events can buy an all-access pass for $150.
Advance tickets for each event at various levels are available on the Grand Kids Foundation Web site at www.grandkidsfoundation.org or at www.curtisgranderson.com
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
