SEVENTH ANNUAL REID & FIORENTINO CALL OF THE GAME DINNER & CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC CELEBRATES SOUTH FLORIDA’S YOUTH
(Photos courtesy of Reid & Fiorentino Events) Two-day charity fundraiser brings together today’s sporting heroes and South Florida’s community leaders to raise money for Lauren Kid’s Foundation and Dade Schools Athletic Foundation Sun Sports HEAT TV broadcasters and two of South Florida’s leading sports media personalities, Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino celebrated the end of the seventh annual Reid & Fiorentino Call Of The Game Dinner & Celebrity Golf Classic, alongside today’s sports icons and philanthropic heroes of our community, with a triumphant salute to two of the most celebrated local charity organizations and beneficiaries – Lauren’s Kids Foundation and the Dade Schools Athletic Foundation. The two-day fund raising event once again attracted some of the region’s biggest names in sports and entertainment, while honouring the achievements by some of the today’s most acclaimed community leaders. The annual Reid & Fiorentino Celebrity Golf Classic Presented by SHARP Business Systems, kicked-off the events on Thursday, March 7th at Turnberry Isle Miami. More than 50 foursomes took to the two exclusive championship courses for an enjoyable day of competitive golf under clear blue skies and pleasant temperatures. During the post-golf awards reception, Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino, took to the stage to commemorate the work of Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids Foundation, before a series of sports merchandise and memorabilia were handed-out during the post-tournament raffle. Competition winners were awarded custom-made Reid & Fiorentino cut-glass trophies, with first place awards going the team made up of James Davis, Derrin Garber, Sid Ali and Brian Turnbell, as winners on the Miller Course, and Mike Mandich, Nick Capo, John Costa, Nicholas Sottile and Kijana Carter, as the winning team from the Soffer Course. Runners-up awards were also presented, along with prizes for the ”Closest-to-the-Hole” on both courses. Former Miami Dolphins quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer, Dan Marino, participated again in this year’s competition and participating celebrity team captains and sports personalities included: Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (former NY Yankees), Alonzo Mourning (former Miami HEAT), Livan Hernandez (MLB player), Mike Inglis (Miami HEAT Radio), John Crotty (former Miami HEAT), Jason Jackson (Miami HEAT broadcaster), Jose Paneda (Miami HEAT broadcaster), Woody Bennett (former Miami Dolphins), James Brown (former Miami Dolphins), Keith Byars (former Miami Dolphins), Kijana Carter (former NFL player), Jeff Cross (former Miami Dolphins), Oronde Gadsden (former Miami Dolphins), Lorenzo Hampton (former Miami Dolphins), Bobby Harden (former Miami Dolphins), Mark Higgs (former Miami Dolphins), James Pruitt (former Miami Dolphins), Patrick Surtain (Former Miami Dolphins), Austin Spitler (Miami Dolphins), Julian Posey (Miami Dolphins), Fred Banks (former NFL player), Jeff Fuller (Miami Dolphins), Cornelius Bennett (former Buffalo Bills), Steve Whitaker (former NY Yankees), John Harris (Seattle Seahawks), Derrick Rogers (former Miami Dolphins), Troy Drayton (former Miami Dolphins), Eddie Jones (former Miami HEAT), Tommy Hutton (Marlins broadcaster), Footy (radio host), Eddie Hill (former Miami Dolphins), Randall Hill (former Miami Dolphins), Kerry Glenn (former Miami Dolphins), Cliff Floyd (former MLB player), Errict Rhett (former NHL player), John Denney (former Miami Dolphins), Darryl Williams (former Bengals/Hurricanes player), Dave Graf (former Cleveland Browns), Quadtrine Hill (former Texans/Hurricanes player), Joey Cornblit (jai-alai player), Stefanie Kenoyer (LPGA player), Brian Hartline (Miami Dolphins player) Tom Shopay (former Orioles/Yankees) and Darrel Fullington (former Vikings/Canes). The Call Of The Game Dinner Presented by Publix took place on Saturday, March 9th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Renowned local philanthropist and Honey Shine founder, Tracy Mourning, emceed the evening’s entertainment as the Master of Ceremonies, while some of today’s most distinguished individuals were honored for their work towards making a difference “behind the scenes” in our community. With an illustrious attendance of sports personalities, business leaders and notable philanthropists, the event included a silent auction, featuring sporting memorabilia and luxury items that attendees were able to bid on at the start of the evening, as well as a live auction, mediated by FOX Sports broadcaster, Jason Jackson, featuring sporting memorabilia, lavish vacation packages and one-of-a-kind experiences, among other items. The evening included live entertainment with an electrifying performance by SONY Music Latin America recording artist, Pedro Capó. Attending VIP guests of honour included Miami HEAT team president, Pat Riley, congresswoman, Deborah Wasserman Schultz, Miami HEAT head coach, Erik Spoelstra, Vice President of Retail Operations for Publix Supermarkets, Bill Fauerbach, Miami-Dade commissioner, Sally Heyman and Miami HEAT forward, Chris “Birdman” Anderson. The dinner featured a number of prestigious awards presented for excellence and leadership in the community. Legendary Miami Marlins broadcaster, Dave Van Horne, received the Sonny Hirsch Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Award, introduced and presented by Eric Reid. This award honors an outstanding sport broadcaster that has had a great impact in their field, while making notable accomplishments within the community. Past award winners include Joe Rose, Tony Segreto, Hank Goldberg and the late-great Jim Mandich. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker, Twan Russell, was presented by Lauren Book with the Community Service Award for outstanding work throughout South Florida. This award honors exceptional individuals or organizations that have shown a great love and passion for improving our community. Past award winners include Bill Fauerbach, Dwyane Wade, Tracy Wilson Mourning and Dr. Barth Green with daughter Jenna Green. The Jim Mandich Courage and Commitment Award was presented to CNN Correspondent Sara Ganim, following a touching speech by Miami HEAT team president, Pat Riley, who introduced Sara and presented the award. The award-winning broadcast journalist broke the story of the grand jury investigation into Jerry Sandusky, and Ganim gave a heartfelt speech on child sex abuse to the audience despite her brave attendance on crutches. Last year’s inaugural Jim Mandich Courage and Commitment Award was presented to Nick Buoniconti and Marc Buoniconti for their outstanding work with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. Current Miami HEAT assistant coach, Ron Rothstein, was presented by Tony Fiorentino with the Don Shula Sports Legend Award. This award honors an outstanding sports legend that has demonstrated a passion for their sport and brings that same passion off the playing field to their