Pelphrey launches charity foundation

Former UK player John Pelphrey had started a foundation to help children’s charities. He announced the foundation on Tuesday.

Here’s the news release:

In memory of their late son, University of Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Pelphrey and his wife Tracy are launching a foundation to benefit children’s charities with a special emphasis on neonatal care, the couple announced Tuesday. The “Pel’s Pals Foundation” was created as a memorial to honor their son, John Patrick, who passed away prematurely in 2003.

“This has been an idea that Tracy and I have shared for quite some time now,” said Pelphrey, who just completed his first year as the Razorbacks coach. “We are very blessed to be in a position to give back, and we hope to rally our friends, this community and the great state of Arkansas to help us make a difference in the lives of children, all in the spirit of John Patrick.”

As part of the launch, the foundation will play host to a celebrity roast, auction and golf tournament in Fayetteville, June 30-July 1. The featured auction item – the opportunity to play a round of golf with Pelphrey and Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino at the upcoming LPGA Tournament pro-am at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers – will open to public beginning Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m. CT on www.eBay.com.

“I’m nearly speechless at the outpouring of support we have received in creating this Foundation,” Pelphrey said. “From Jeff Long and our athletics department, to John Tyson and the Wal-Mart family, nearly everyone we have contacted has said yes.”

The Pelphreys will target neonatal research and care facilities as part of their overall outreach from these fundraising efforts. Five years ago, John Patrick died prematurely after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. The support the Pelphreys received at that time, including the tremendous care shown to their family by the dedicated men and women who worked with them throughout their ordeal, made a lasting impression on the couple.

The Pel’s Pals Foundation event, which will be held annually, will tip off with the John Pelphrey Celebrity Roast & Auction on June 30 at the Fayetteville Town Center. Coach Pelphrey will be the focus of the Roast in honor of his 40^th birthday. Those expected to attend include former Arkansas and Oklahoma State head coach Eddie Sutton, Florida’s Billy Donovan and Louisville’s Rick Pitino. The following day, The Blessings Golf Course will play host to the Pel’s Pals Charity Golf Tournament featuring a celebrity in every foursome.

Unique auction items include trips with the team, luxury suites, private basketball fantasy camps, and the like, but perhaps the most impressive auction item is the golf two-some with Pelphrey and Petrino, which was donated by Proctor & Gamble. The online auction begins Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. CT and concludes Saturday, June 21, at 6 p.m. CT. Given the short time between the Foundation dinner on June 30 and the LPGA Pro-Am on July 2, organizers decided to auction the two-some online in advance.  Bidders can search for the item by using “Pel’s Pals Auction” or by following the link provided on www.HogWired.com. 

The event is managed by Blue Entertainment Sports Television (BEST), Pelphrey’s marketing and event consultants. For more information on sponsorship, dinner tickets, or foursome information, contact Laura Brooks Lundy at 859-317-2200 or go to www.pelspals.com.

- Pel’s Pals -

About Pel’s Pals

The “Pel’s Pals” Foundation was organized in 2007 by Tracy and John Pelphrey in memory of their infant son, John Patrick Pelphrey, who died prematurely in 2003. The foundation was established to honor John Patrick’s name by generating financial support to benefit children’s charities with a special emphasis on providing resources and education for neonatal efforts across the United States. Proceeds are generated from annual fundraising activities. www.PelsPals.com

About BEST

BEST is a unified full-service sports and entertainment company.  Current clients include musicians Janet Jackson and Chamillionaire, Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, NFL Pro Bowlers DeAngelo Hall and Will Smith, 2008 first round NFL draft picks, Glenn Dorsey and Chris Johnson,  NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace, 2007 NBA Lottery picks Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer, Australian, French and US Open Champion Justine Henin, US Open Champion Andy Roddick, No. 1 doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan, MMA star Houston Alexander, Arizona State basketball coach Herb Sendek, Louisville football coach Steve Kragthorpe and Ole Miss basketball coach Andy Kennedy.  Media & Event properties include the US Open Tennis Championship, the French Open Tennis Championship, the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, numerous US-based ATP tournaments, Rock ’n Racquets, Hoop It Up, Let It Fly, Kick It, the Boston Marathon, the Superstars Competition, the AVP Beach Volleyball tour, Ice Wars, the World Cup of Softball, The Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase, the Men’s and Women’s Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships and the Men’s Ford Tennis Championship. www.experienceBEST.com