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e Y portsline th O 65 S o f t h e N o r f o l k S p o r t s C l u b ur Vol. #24, No. 2 February 2009

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

THE NORFOLK SPORTS CLUB’S 64th JAMBOREE

February 23, 2009 Cash Bar 6 PM - 7 PM • Dinner 7 PM - 8 PM • Program 8 PM - 10 PM Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Tickets: $85.00 Ð Individual ¥ $800.00 Ð Table of 10

VIP Tables Ð $1300.00 Ð includes table of 10, full page ad, exclusive VIP Cocktail Party & Rodman Luncheon tickets for 3 guests

Tickets on Sale NOW- Call Wayne Ford Ð (757) 497-3095 or Betty Dail Ð (757) 497-9583

FEATURED SPEAKER FORMER NOTRE DAME & REDSKINS QUARTERBACK ESPN BROADCASTER JOE THEISMANN NFL Championship Quarterback Joe Theismann has spent the last twenty years working for ESPN on their NFL broadcast. Theismann joined ESPN after spending two seasons as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports. A 12-year NFL veteran, Theismann played in 163 consecu- tive games from 1974-1985 and holds Redskins’ records for passing yardage (25,206), completions (2,044) and attempts (3,602). A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he led Washington to a 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Theismann was selected the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1982 for his community service and dedication to the health and welfare of children. He won the league’s 1983 Most Valuable Player Award for leading the Redskins to an NFL-recorded 541 points and a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. His career ended abruptly in 1985 after sustaining a broken leg during a game against the New York Giants on national television. Theismann, a much sought after motivational speaker, also oversees a popular Washington, DC restaurant that bears his name. He is also the author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Understanding Football Like a Pro. February 2th – Luncheon Meeting Schedule of Bobby Wilder, Head Football Coach ODU Bobby Wilder, the former associate head football Events coach at the University of Maine, is the head football coach of the Old Dominion Monarchs who will begin All meetings are held at the play in 2009. Holiday Inn-Executive Center Since arriving in Norfolk, Wilder has hit the 5655 Greenwich Road ground running making sure that the Old Dominion Beach, Virginia football program is visible throughout the campus, Lunch served from the community and the state. He has honored hundreds of speaking 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. engagements to a variety of organizations, but his most important Meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. talks have come with high schools coaches throughout the state. Meeting adjourns at 1:15 p.m. Wilder and his staff have made it a point to build a fence around the community and the state, with plans of building a February 2nd – Luncheon Meeting first rate program with players a stones throw from the ODU campus. Bobby Wilder, Head Coach ODU Football In addition to his recruiting efforts, Wilder has also been an es- sential part in the planning and development of the new $17 million February 14th – Game Outing Powhatan Sports Complex, which will be among the top football ODU Monarchs vs facilities in the country. The Sports Complex that will house the VCU Rams ODU football offices, athletic and strength training areas, locker February 16th – Luncheon Meeting rooms and two practice fields with artificial surface. Plans were un- LaShawn Merritt veiled for the $24.8 million Foreman Field Football Complex which Olympic Gold Medalist includes a new game day building, field surface, scoreboard, sound system, field enclosure and a contiguous parking garage. FEBRUARY 23RD – 2009 JAMBOREE Prior to his arrival at ODU, Wilder served on the University of Maine Joe Theismann- Former Quarterback Washington Redskins and Notre Dame staff for 17 years and was promoted to associate head coach in 2001. A 1987 graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in physical March 9th – Luncheon Meeting education, Wilder captained the Black Bears to the Yankee Conference Ron Blomberg Championship his senior year. An All-New England quarterback in 1985, New York Yankees Chicago White Sox he left Maine as the school’s all-time leading passer. Major league ’s first Upon graduation, Wilder served as a graduate assistant coach for designated hitter two seasons under Jack Bicknell at Boston College, where he earned his master’s degree in educational administration in 1990. March 23rd – Luncheon Meeting Wilder and his wife, Pam, live in Norfolk with their two sons. Norfolk Admirals

April 6th – Luncheon Meeting Ronald Bolton February 16th – Luncheon Meeting Former Cleveland Brown LaShawn Merritt, Olympic Gold Medalist For further information, contact the Sports Club office at 497-9583 or Marty Miller, First Portsmouth native and Woodrow Wilson High Vice President at 823-9539. School graduate, LaShawn Merritt dominated the 400m finals at the 2008 Olympic Games by sprinting down the final straight unchallenged and winning DEADLINE FOR with a personal best time of 43.75 seconds. Merritt’s MARCH SPORTSLINE winning margin of 0.99 seconds was the largest in an Olympic 400m final since 1896. Also, LaShawn FEBRUARY 13, 2009 teamed with Angelo Taylor, Jeremy Wariner and David Neville to win If you have information or news you wish Olympic gold in the 4x400m relay in the Olympic record time of 2:55.39. to share with the Club, please fax it into As an 18-year-old, Merritt left East Carolina’s track program to turn the office or call Betty in the Club office. The Board of Directors has voted to pub- professional prior to the end of his freshman indoor season. As a lish only Club related information or sports high-schooler, he won three gold medals at the 2004 World Junior related information of interest to members. Championships, including the 400 meters, and anchoring Team USA The format of the Sportsline is not intended to world junior records in the 4x100 and 4x400m relays. As a prep to accommodate advertising for Club members. Call Betty at the Club Office at star at Wilson High School, Merritt was the 2004 state 100m, 200m 497-9583, fax info to 473-5747 or email and 400m champion and the 2003 state 400m champion. Merritt is [email protected]. enrolled at Old Dominion University. D I R E C T O R Y President’s Letter Michael “Mike” Adams, President ...... 560-6722 Dear Members, George “Skip” Burton III, President-Elect ...... 545-4613 As I get more involved in the Jamboree preparations, I Office Operations, Sportsline & 2009 Jamboree get this overwhelming feeling of a lost soul, with all these people around me and assisting in reaching my goal. I re- Marty Miller, First Vice President ...... 823-9539 ally appreciate the things that happen “in the background” Weekly Luncheon Speakers that our members take upon themselves to continue to make this the best club in the country. When I see Wayne Michael “Mike” Sears, Second Vice President .... 456-9124 Ford, I immediately wonder what miracle drug he takes to Monthly Golf Outings continually have a smile on his face and a “what can I do for you next” look on his face. He continually volunteers Maurice N. “Buddy” Early, Secretary ...... 857-0947 to tackle the unrelenting task of table and seat sales, a never ending, thankless task. Roger Travaglio, Treasurer...... 455-8192 Others that deserve recognition for their work in the background, Ken Riedel for the setup and publication of Kenneth “Ken” Riedel, Sergeant-at-Arms ...... 456-5763 the Jamboree program, and many other “small” facets in the setup of the Jamboree, and let us not forget our “Joe Betty Dail, Executive Administrator ...... 497-9583 Brown” recipient that has a pickup, and a cell phone, as I Thomas S. “Tommy” Gale, Ex Officio ...... 480-0000 am still not clear on ALL that he does, but anytime Betty needs help, he is always there, right C.H? Lastly, in this 2008 Directors moment of recognition, Mr. Dick Knight, who not only “runs” the Past Presidents Breakfast, but initiated the host One Year Term Two Year Term a military service member to the Jamboree. To date, we Wiley French Kenneth D. “Ken” Fulghum have thirteen service members invited to join us, thank Bryan Graves Jim Grady you Dick. C. H. Lambert Steve Kakol I cannot write this without recognizing Betty Dail. I don’t Vicki Trexler Wilson H. “Chip” Turner want the recognition I’m giving Betty to sound repetitive OFFICE HOURS and trite, but can any of you truly appreciate what she does Monday (with meeting): 9:15 - 11:00 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. for this Sports Club. She is a remarkable, multifaceted in- Monday (with no meeting): 9:15 - 5:00 P.M. dividual that continually multitasks beyond that which is Tuesday - Friday: 9:15 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. expected. Much of what she does in support of the club E-Mail Address: [email protected] has become expected, like setting up the golf outings for Website: www.norfolksportsclub.com us, the special needs for luncheons and dinners, and other similar needs. She has been granted the title of Executive Administrator, but where does that cover “ad sales agent,” “communications coordinator,” “Guest accommodations ODU MEN’S BASKETBALL OUTING Coordinator & Travel Coordinator.” What would it take for us, heaven forbid, to replace Betty and all she does? To the remaining volunteers of the Jamboree Committee, ODU Monarchs vs VCU Rams please don’t feel slighted, but I really wanted to recognize those that deal with their position on a DAILY basis and go Saturday, February 14th Ð 2 PM without the recognition they deserve, my thanks to all of you for your support. Respectfully, The Norfolk Sports Club has reserved the Group Box at Ted Constant Center for this game. 15 seats left. If interested, call Betty at 497-9583 by February 9th. Tickets available for Michael B. Adams pickup at the NSC office between February 10th and 13th. Ticket and Food Price: $30.00 Food Price (Season Ticket Holders): $17.00 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING Menu: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips and Dip, Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 5:00 PM Cookies, Soft Drinks and Bottled Water In the Board Room of Food Service will begin at 1 PM Norfolk Sports Club Office 5541 Parliament Drive, Suite 206 • Virginia Beach Please make payment to John Hamilton at luncheons meetings or to Betty at the NSC office. All Club members are welcomed to come to see your Board at work. Call the office at 497-9583 for more Check payable to : Norfolk Sports Club information. Agenda info due by February 4th. 9 200 4- 4 PRSRT STD 9

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a e PAID Y portsline h 5t Norfolk, VA Our 6 S Permit No. 175 Post Office Box 12501, Norfolk, Virginia 23541-0501

Please change our email address: After February 5, 2009 Norfolk Sports Club will have a new email address- [email protected]

DID YOU KNOW? team was one of the hottest tickets in town, present- ing an exciting brand of championship minor league BLAKE CULLEN hockey for Norfolk fans that included making the play- ECHL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE offs in all seven seasons and winning the league cham- pionship three times. Blake Cullen was inducted into Joining Blake Cullen as ECHL HOF inductees this year the ECHL Hall of Fame at a luncheon were the Admirals original head coach ceremony held in conjunction with and Admirals all-time leading scorer Rod Taylor. Cullen, the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. Brophy and Taylor were each inducted last February 21, 2009 in Reading, PA. Cullen was as members of the inaugural Admirals Hall of Fame. the founder and owner of the for the team’s first seven seasons in the ECHL. The Admirals advanced to the playoffs every year and won back-to-back Riley Cup championships in their second and third seasons. Copies of Blake’s new book, Hampton Roads drew more than 1.8 million fans dur- You Should Have Seen ing his tenure and led the league in attendance in 1989- The Ones I Turned Down, 90 and 1992-93 while ranking among the attendance are for sale in the Sports Club leaders every year. Office for $20 “Blake Cullen played a pivotal role in the early de- velopment of the ECHL and is well respected as a builder and administrator in both baseball and hockey circles,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. Cullen’s love for hockey started in January ’89; he traveled to Vinton on the outskirts of Roanoke and took in his first East Coast Hockey League game. ECHL Get Well Wishes to was looking to add a sixth team to the league, and Cullen had just seen a Sports Illustrated cover story George Hughes on Sweet Pea Whitaker, so he suggested Norfolk. The next day, he drove to Hampton Roads and scoped out the scene. Three weeks later he put on an ECHL exhi- Our Condolences To bition game here and drew 6,200 people on a Wednes- the family of day night. That fall Cullen’s new Hampton Roads Ad- Member Michael Morisi mirals took to the ice. For the next seven seasons his in the loss of his father