Tucker salutes Summerall's service
Posted: July 28, 2009 at 6:04 a.m.
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame is looking for a new Arkansas sports celebrity to host its primary fundraising event.
The 2009 Pat Summerall Celebrity Classic, held Monday at Chenal Country Club, was the last one bearing Summerall's name as celebrity host.
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Ray Tucker made the announcement just before golfers left the clubhouse to begin the 11th annual tournament at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.
"Pat Summerall has been a tremendous asset to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame," Tucker said. "He and I visited earlier today and he asked me how many years it had been. I told him this is our 11th and he kind of indicated to me that this would be the last Pat Summerall for us.
"We're making this a very, very special day."
Funds derived from previous Pat Summerall Celebrity Classics played a major part in getting the hall's museum built at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. The museum opened in April 2007.
Summerall, 79, lettered for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1949-1951 before playing in the NFL. He then had a long broadcasting career.
He missed the 2008 tournament after undergoing emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding. But he appeared to bein good health as he mingled with participants Monday.
The Pat Summerall Celebrity Classic began when Tucker attempted to get Summerall to do public service announcements for the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Summerall told Tucker at the time that he'd do whatever they wanted. Then Tucker asked him about lending his name to the fundraising golf tournament.
In 11 years, the tournament's participants have included a who's who of Arkansas sports standouts from nearly every sport. Those in attendanceMonday included Frank Broyles, John McDonnell, Kevin McReynolds, Tommy Tuberville, Ken Hatfield, Cliff Harris and Joe Kleine.
"It's been a wonderful ride for us with Pat Summerall," Tucker said. "I can't say thank you enough to Pat Summerall."
Sports, Pages 18 on 07/28/2009
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