On Monday, the NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter hosted their annual golf charity event at Tam O’ Shanter Country Club. A multitude of guest arrived to support the event including two Lions Hall of Fame legends.
Before we even began to expound on the colossal impact the NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter continues to have on the athletic community in the metropolitan area, it’s only right to thank NFL Alumni PR Director LaToya Cunningham & the ladies at Posh PR for helping coordinate another enormous event.
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This annual Golf Charity event held at Tam O’ Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield MI, was another event built around creating scholarship funding for upper-class high school athletes seeking to pursue athletics at the collegiate level. Teams of four (NFL Alumni and registered guest) competed in a single-day Golf tournament that played as a qualifier for the 2017 NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf. The winner of the tournament was awarded an all-expense paid trip to Palm Beach Gardens, FL to contend for the
. NFL fellowship, networking, drinks, food and prizes all contributed to the ambiance of another successful NFL Alumni annual outing.
Now, a plethora of NFL administrators were in attendance alongside with NFL Alumni who both work diligently to keep the Detroit metropolitan community engaged with the NFL. On and off the field the NFL motto “together we make football” is more than some sleazy catch phrase, it’s a standard that is only sustained through the work of community relations and corporate partnerships.
the NFL motto “together we make football” is more than some sleazy catch phrase, it’s a standard that is only sustained through the work of community relations and corporate partnerships.
Below is list of professionals I had the opportunity to interview and discuss the future of the Detroit Lions organization and the modern growth in an ever evolving NFL community.
1. Lem Barney
NFL Hall Of Famer and former Detroit Lions DB (1967-1977) who works incredibly close with the Detroit Lions organization to keep community relations sustained. Barney works on the board executive committee with the NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter to provide academic scholarships, improve quality of life for NFL Alumni and implement ways to keep student athletes enriched.
2. Pete Chryplewicz
NFL Alumni Vice President and former Detroit Lions TE accredited his colleague Nora Moretz for helping organize the Golf Charity Event for 2016 and was also able to answer a few questions for us here at SideLion Report.
Q: What innovative ideas do you have for youth athletic enrichment within the Detroit metropolitan area?
A: Well, I’ll say this. We want student athletes to become multi-faceted. The limited opportunity for students to have exposure to multiple sports plays as an inhibitor to a growing sports world. As the NFL Alumni we seek to create ways to accrue funding that will expand sports diversity in schools making student athletes more knowledgeable.
Q: How do you feel about Bob Quinn as the new Lions GM?
A: When invited to mini-camp earlier this spring I met Bob out in Allen Park. He mentioned that he noticed the hard work Alumnus had been doing in the community and that he is happy to see the involvement. I believe his practical approach to becoming GM is a huge win for the Lions.
3. Bill Hawker
New Detroit Lions Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. Monday Bill sparked a small talk conversation with me that led to few Detroit Lions inner-operations discussions. Legal authorities would be breached if I disclosed the meat of the conversation but just know he’s working close with GM Bob Quinn & Chief of Staff Kevin Anderson to manifest a prosperous NFL season for the Lions Organization. Bill spent 10 years with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Lions in March earlier this year. Hawker was apart of the Packers Super Bowl championship in 2009-2010 season.
4. Nigel Tharpe
Former NFL DT who played with both the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers in his two year tenure (2001-2002). Nigel says it was soul aching to watch Super Bowl 30 knowing that he played with both franchises and was apart of their emergence to prime during that time. Tharpe had the opportunity to play with HB Jerome Bettis, HB Shaun Alexander, Coach Bill Cowart, Coach Mike Holmgren, John Randle and a multitude of other hall of fame greats. Tharpe mentioned that the NFL alumni has allowed him great networking opportunities to expand his career after previously being apart of the league on the field. As a Detroit native he is passionate about the growth of the metropolitan area.
5. Scott Conover
Former Detroit Lions RT Scott Conover (1990-1997) is always in attendance to advance the community relations of the franchise. As an active NFL Alumnus it was only right to ask him a few questions.
Q: What has the NFL Alumni Association meant for you as an NFL professional?
A. It’s really just an excellent opportunity to fellowship and stay engaged with the league as a whole. Makes you feel like you are still apart of this league.
Q: What was it like blocking for Barry Sanders?
A: Barry was one of those guys that led by example. I always had to stay on my block because a play that started left could always end up coming back to my side. He was a really humble guy man. Very appreciative.
Q: How do you feel about the Lions ability to succeed in the near future?
A: I like what they are doing, new management and administration. We just have to keep working and being dedicated to the goal.
6. Roger Zatkoff
85 year old Hall Of Fame Detroit Lions DE (1957-1958) OLB Roger Zatkoff was effectual in aiding the franchise to their only official championship glory in 1957. He joked continuously with me about the way QB Bobby Lane would chew a whole out of his teammates if they were under achieving out their on the gridiron. Zatkoff glory’s in the opportunity to help student athletes pursue collegiate opportunities especially through the league that has meant so much to him and his career.
