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Memorial Bocce
Tournament Set
for May 13
Tournament Features
New Lions' Head Coach
Jim Schwartz
The Detroit Lions' Tony Filippis Memorial Bocce Tournament will be held on Wednesday, May 13, hosted by Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township, Michigan. The fund-raising event is being held in association with the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame.
New Lions' Head Coach Jim Schwartz is an honorary chairman for the tournament and will join many of his Lions' players and staff at the event. Proceeds from the tournament will go to Detroit Lions Charities to benefit the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame and various other charities in Michigan. More than $720,000 has been raised from the tournaments the past four years.
The tournament is named in honor of the late Tony Filippis, long-time advocate for the disabled community and founder of Wright & Filippis who died at age 91 in 2007. Filippis founded ADHOF in 1999 in an effort to support and provide opportunities to persons with disabilities.
This year's tournament will be led by Coach Schwartz and other honorary chairmen Tony Battaglia, A.J. Filippis and former Lions' lineman Mike Utley.
The chairmen will be joined by several other celebrities including many current and former Lions' players in a tournament open to the public and fun for all ages and skill levels. The event also will include live and silent auctions of various unique items including sports memorabilia.
The Lions' event again will be held in the nation's finest indoor facility for bocce ball. The Palazzo di Bocce was built by owner and developer Tony Battaglia in Orion Township, near M-24 (Lapeer Road) and Silver Bell Road. The 32,000 square foot facility has 10 indoor championship courts, spectator seating, a pro shop and a restaurant that features fine Italian cuisine and wines.
Sponsorships for the bocce ball tourney are available including Silver sponsorships for $10,000 and Honolulu Blue team sponsorships for $2,500. Banner sponsorships for $1,000 include signage and tickets to the event. Individual tickets also are available at $100 each. For more information, go online to www.DetroitLions.com, or contact Detroit Lions Community Affairs at (313) 216-4171.