2017 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational

EVENT CHAIRS: Carmaleta and Otis Felton

HONORARY CHAIR: Faye Briggs

Schedule of Events


Friday, May 12, 2017
Friday Night Gala presented by Albertsons/Tom Thumb
Omni Hotel Dallas
6:00 PM Celebrity Reception 
6:30 PM Red Carpet Arrivals presented by Cigna
7:30 PM Dinner presented by E Smith Legacy
Auction and Raffle presented by Service King
Roger Staubach Award presented to Larry Fitzgerald by Toyota 
8:45 PM Entertainment and Dancing with Emerald City


Saturday, May 13, 2017
Golf Tournament presented by American Airlines
TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney
7:30 AM Registration
Breakfast
9:00 AM Shotgun Start
Golf Carts presented by Shell
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM VIP Pavilion
3:30 PM Awards Ceremony (Players only)


ATTIRE:
Friday, 800 guests; Cocktail Attire
Saturday, 120 golfers, 250-300 guests; Golf Casual Attire 


TICKETS: 
Friday Night Party tickets begin at $750 each, sponsorships and tables are also available. Saturday Golf Tournament Pavilion passes are $50 each. 


CONTACT:

For questions please contact Dana Vilardi at dvilardi@ejsmithenterprises.com

Emmitt Smith Charities honored Magic Johnson with first-ever Roger Staubach Award

Almost 1,000 guests packed the Omni Dallas Hotel for the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational, presented by SoftLayer, on May 9. They were there to pay tribute to Earvin “Magic” Johnson – an iconic NBA superstar who has inspired millions on and off the court with his philanthropy who also happens to be a powerhouse entrepreneur – and his wife Cookie as they received the first-ever Roger Staubach Award.

The ballroom at Omni Dallas resembled a gold and white wonderland.

Before the weekend was over, $1 million had been raised for the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, which creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children. 

Pat and Emmitt Smith, Roger and Marianne Staubach, Cookie and Magic Johnson
Photo by Layne Murdoch

The Staubach Award has been established “to recognize individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth.”  The award is given to recipients who exemplify excellence personally, professionally and philanthropically. It is the only award to be named in Staubach’ s honor other than one established at his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy.

Guests entered the Friday Night Party, sponsored by Albertsons, on the traditional “Dallas Cowboy” blue carpet, sponsored by Cigna.

Pat and Emmitt’s longtime friend, Alfonso Ribeiro (best known as Carlton on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air) emceed the event, launching the program with the famous Carlton dance to Tom Jones hit It’s Not Unusual.  

Alfonso and Angela Ribeiro

Magic praised Pat and Emmitt for their generosity, love and good work benefiting the Team 22 students, who are being mentored and provided with incredible opportunities, and the thousands of North Texas youth. 

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our fifth year than with a new award named after our good friend and hero, Roger Staubach,” said Pat Smith. “And it’s such a thrill to give the first award to Cookie and Magic, an incredible power couple who have set the bar very high and been a true inspiration to Emmitt and me.”

After the program, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Darius Rucker sang over an hour and finished by donating a guitar that he and Emmitt signed. It was auctioned off for $25,000.

Darius Rucker performed for attendees.

Christie and Robert Ferguson and Marion and Bennett Glazer were the weekend’s honorary chairs. Event chairs were Lisa and Steve Lieberman. 

 There were celebs aplenty from NBA, WNBA, NFL and Major League Baseball and a local star of TV’s The Bachelor (Jake Pavelka) – Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Joe Carter, Richard Dent, Eric Dickerson, Michael Finley, Charles Haley, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Jay Humphrey, Rickey Jackson, Daryl Johnston, David Justice, Nancy Lieberman, Kenny Lofton, Roland Martin, Coach Will Muschamp, David Nelson, Nate Newton, Drew Pearson, Preston Pearson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Donna Richardson, Trent Richardson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Winfred Tubbs, Nick Van Exel, Clay Walker, Spud Webb and Darren Woodson.

TEAM 22 and Magic

During the Saturday golf tourney held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney and sponsored by American Airlines, the $1 million mark was hit, thanks to fundraising held on the course and a special donation from Healthcare Highways owner Michael Wilson.

A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will be distributed to beneficiaries in North Texas chosen through a grant process this summer. Applications and criteria can be found at www.patandemmittsmithcharities.org. Other proceeds will be used to fund the Smith’s own Team 22 to attend Camp Champions, travel to Washington DC and participate in other unique experience throughout the year.

For more information or to watch a video recap of the Friday Night Party, go to emmittsmith.com

Sports Legend Magic Johnson to Receive First-Ever Roger Staubach Award from Emmitt Smith

An iconic sports figure who has inspired millions on and off the court, legendary NBA superstar and powerhouse entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and his wife Cookie, will receive the first-ever “Roger Staubach Award” at the fifth-annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational weekend, presented by SoftLayer, on May 9-10, 2014.

Cookie and Magic Johnson

 

Pat and Emmitt Smith will present the award to the Johnsons at the “Friday Night Party,” sponsored by Albertsons, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The festivities continue Saturday, with an 18-hole charity golf tournament, presented by American Airlines, at TPC Craig Ranch, in McKinney. Proceeds from the weekend will go to Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, (PESC), a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

The Staubach Award has been established “to recognize individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth.” Named for the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback and real estate icon, the award is given to recipients who exemplify excellence personally, professionally and philanthropically. This is the only award to be named in Staubach’s honor other than one established at his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I’ve been a friend of Pat and Emmitt’s for years and I really respect what they do to help North Texas kids, so it was an easy call to attach my name to this project,” said Staubach. “I’m doubly honored – first, to have this award named in my honor but also to have the first recipients be Cookie and Magic Johnson. They’ve given back by creating jobs and opportunities, and helped so many kids in countless ways.”

Emmitt Smith at his Celebrity Invitational with students from his Team 22 program

Other highlights of the Friday Night Party include a performance by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Darius Rucker. Dress is cocktail attire.

 

Celebrities participating in the weekend include Marcus Allen, Joe Carter, Tony Casillas, Roger Clemens, Billy Dawson, Eric Dickerson, Rudy Gatlin, Charles Haley, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Daryl Johnston, Donna Richardson Joyner, Nancy Lieberman, Coach Will Muschamp, Nate Newton, Jake Pavelka, Preston Pearson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Trent Richardson, Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, Clay Walker and Spud Webb.

Christie and Robert Ferguson and Marion and Bennett Glazer are the weekend’s honorary chairs. Event chairs are Lisa and Steve Lieberman

 

The Saturday golf tournament begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. – including breakfast and lunch presented by The Ryan Foundation; “Dapper Den” gifting suite presented by DAPPER Mag; and the driving range presented by Informatica. The shotgun start for players only is at 9 a.m., the VIP Pavilion presented by Park Place Lexus is from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., the players-only award ceremony will feature food donated by Cattleack BBQ. Scott Murray will be the master of ceremonies.

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith at the 2013 Emmitt Smith Invitational

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our fifth year than with a new award named after our good friend and hero, Roger Staubach,” said Pat Smith. “And it’s such a thrill to give the first award to Cookie and Magic, an incredible power couple who have set the bar very high and been a true inspiration to Emmitt and me.”

 

To date, the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $2.4 million in support of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.

 

Tickets for the Friday Night Party begin at ^$500, and pavilion passes for the VIP Pavilion at the Saturday Golf Tournament are ^$50 each. For ticket and sponsorship details, go to www.emmittsmith.com/celebrity-invitational or contact Jenny Heiser at jenny@faysawers.com

 

2014 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Events

2014 EMMITT SMITH CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL

“FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY” AND CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Benefiting Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities

May 9-10, 2014

 

“Friday Night Party” presented by Albertsons
Omni Hotel Dallas

Red carpet at 6:30 p.m., dinner and awards presentation at 7:30 p.m.
and live music by Emerald City at 9 p.m.

 

Saturday Charity Golf Tournament, presented by American Airlines
TPC Craig Ranch, 8000 Collin McKinney Pkwy., McKinney, TX 75070

Registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m., golf tournament at 9 a.m.
and awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

 

Presented by SoftLayer, the fifth annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational, is set for May 9 -10 with a “Friday Night Party” at the Omni Dallas Hotel featuring a VIP red carpet, followed by a celebrity reception, dinner, live auction, dancing and other entertainment. The Saturday charity golf tournament takes place the following morning at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney with players and other sports and entertainment celebrities partnered with each foursome, followed by an afternoon awards ceremony. 

While last year’s event raised more than ^$400,000 distributed to 47 North Texas charities, that amount is expected to climb in 2014.

 

Proceeds from the weekend go to Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, (PESC), a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

 

Register here:  http://www.emmittsmith.com/celebrity-invitational

Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Kick-Off Reception

Event chairs Lisa and Steve Lieberman opened the doors to their beautiful Preston Hollow home on January 22 to help kick off the fifth annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational, presented by SoftLayer. The 2014 event is set for May 9 -10 with a “Friday Night Party” at the Omni Dallas Hotel featuring a VIP red carpet, followed by a celebrity reception, dinner, live auction, dancing and other entertainment. The Saturday, May 10, charity golf tournament takes place the following morning at TPC Craig Ranch with players and other sports and entertainment celebrities partnered with each foursome, followed by an afternoon awards ceremony.

David Craig of TPC Craig Ranch and Emmitt Smith
Photos by James Edward

In informal remarks, Steve Lieberman thanked Pat and Emmitt for using their “extraordinary talents and their superstar status” to help local kids through their works with the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities (PESC). In 2013, PESC distributed over $400,000 to 47 charities predominantly in North Texas.

Pat Smith, Ronelle Ianace

Next up were Pat and Emmitt, who thanked sponsors and Host Committee members for stepping up and helping to raise to date more than $500,000 towards the 2014 event. Emmitt also announced the inaugural Emmitt Smith Golf Challenge, consisting of several regional events scheduled at top-rated ClubCorp courses throughout the U.S., where winning players and top fundraisers will win a variety of prizes plus the opportunity to advance (or attend) the May 9-10 festivities in Dallas.

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith

 

Pat expressed her gratitude, calling the event a “journey for us” that has grown from a small golf tournament to an event that benefited 47 agencies and 35,000 children last year. She recognized top-level sponsors, including Title Sponsor SoftLayer (at the $100,000 level). At the $50,000 level, Presenting Sponsors are Albertson’s (for the Friday night event) and American Airlines (for the Saturday golf tournament and as the official Airline Sponsor). In addition, event sponsors at the $25,000 level were recognized -- Dallas Healthy Aging Institute, Cigna, Waste Management Brown-Forman and G Wear. While the list of $10,000 sponsors was long, Pat graciously took the time to extend the organization’s appreciation for each one of them as well. 

Team 22 students Giselle Garcia and Christian Quintero, with Leslie Boysen

The program concluded with heartfelt thanks from two teens -- Christian Quintero and Giselle Garcia -- who are members of Pat and Emmitt’s Team 22, a PESC-funded groundbreaking program designed to mentor students to develop leadership and character skills through unique enrichment opportunities.

Lawrence and Katie Bock, Host Committee  

Kimberly and Justin Whitman, Host Committee  

Attending that evening were honorary chairs Marion and Bennett Glazer, NFL superstar Larry Brown (a TCU alum and Super Bowl XXX MVP), Texas Senator Royce West, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and Justin Whitman, Katy and Lawrence Bock, Sheryl and David Pidgeon, Jim and Beth Gold, Mike Ablon and Ronnie Berg.

For ticket and sponsorship details, go to www.emmittsmith.com/celebrity-invitational