Lions' Tony Filippis Memorial Bocce Tournament Set For May 22; Tournament Named In Honor Of The Late Tony Filippis

ALLEN PARK, MICH. – The Detroit Lions’ Tony Filippis Memorial Bocce Tournament will be held on Thursday, May 22, hosted by Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township, Mich. The fund-raising event is being held in association with the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame.

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 $640,000 has been raised from the tournaments the past four years.

The tournament has been named in honor of the late Tony Filippis, long-time advocate for the disabled community who died at age 91 last year.

This year’s tournament will be led by honorary chairmen Tony Battaglia, AJ Filippis and former Lions’ lineman Mike Utley. Honorary captains for the outing will be current Lions’ Edwin Mulitalo, Cory Redding and Roy Williams.

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. A limited number of individual tickets also will be available at $150 each. For more information, contact Detroit Lions Community Affairs at 313-216-4171.