Billed as a ‘dinner party with a purpose,’ the first annual Dr. Phillips Panther Football Booster’s dinner was held on Sunday at the famed Palm Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel, Universal Studios in Orlando.
The event brought together more than 120 well-heeled attendees from the finance, legal and medical fields to raise money to help buy new uniforms and other equipment for Dr. Phillips Panther Football.
“We are really excited to be here tonight and especially so as we have exceeded our goal by 120% both in terms of attendance and financially,” said a passionate Coach Bryan Ingrande.
Ingrande explains that, not only will the funds raised support high school kids, but also boys ages 5 through 14 years. He is especially appreciative of the support that has come from key sponsors like Universal, Dan Newlin & Partners, Graham Chiropractic, Celebration Orthopedic and Texas-based Premier Financial Co, among others.
Dr. Phillips Panthers Football is on a major push to raise funds for the many kids who “don’t have a lot of advantages,” Ingrande says, as he elaborates on the brand new national deal with Nike and several other initiatives. “Dr. Phillips is one of six preferred schools in Florida and this means Nike wants us to dress from head to toe in their apparel.”
The Law Offices of Dan Newlin is also teaming up with Dr. Phillips Panthers to host a free Youth Football Combine clinic for 250 kids, at the Bill Spoone Stadium at Dr. Phillips High School on June 1st.
“I am very honored to support the Panther Football Booster’s dinner and the upcoming Youth Football Combine clinic,” said Newlin. “It would be great to watch the coaches harness the enthusiasm of the kids from the community, teaching them how to use their raw talent more effectively, and in a structured way.”
Other initiatives to raise funds include, “Put a Pair of Paws on Panthers” where Dr. Phillip Football supporters could purchase a team shoe for $75 (retail $100) and advertisement signs that businesses could buy for placement at Bill Spoone Stadium.
Last night’s five course dinner, featuring ‘Surf and Turf’ raised charitable donations not only through ticket sales, but as well a live auction hosted by Dave Nequette and Barbara West of American Fundraising Foundation. Donated items that were auctioned off included, a VIP Universal Experience, a Kentucky Derby adventure for two, including roundtrip airfare, Boston Red Sox baseball game tickets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers football tickets, passes to see New Kids on the Block perform at the Amway Arena, and other items. Not wanting to be too specific, organizers said, more than $15,000 had been raised from the auction.
“I am going to the Kentucky Derby—Yeah,” shrieked an excited Tina Samson, CFO, Loews Hotels, Universal Orlando, who outbid everyone to claim the $4,400 value trip. “It’s awesome, it’s on my bucket list and I’ve always wanted to go.”
Amidst the festivities, the wine, generously provided by BR Cohn Winery, a Sonoma Valley, California-based winery, and fun which was had by all, Head Coach Rodney Wells reminds that, it all comes back to the kids.
“It’s all about helping to make these kids better members of society,” said Wells. “The first thing I teach my boys is that you have to be a good person. Second, you have to be a good student and then you can be a good football player.”
Coach Jason Jackson echoes the sentiment of Ingrande and Wells and recalls the School’s motto, “Never Less than the Best.” He says, we are “One Panther” and that means, “We are all one.”
Dr. Phillips Panther Football has much of which to be proud. Over the past 5 years, 37 students have gone to college on scholarships valued at over over $3 million and the team has had 6 “All-Americans” to date.
