WHAT: ART SHELL CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

WHERE: GLENRIDDLE GOLF COURSE; 11501 MAID AT ARMS WAY; BERLIN, MD 21811

TEE TIME: 8:30 AM

CONTACT: CHENITA KOLLOCK; DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES; 410-651-8419; CRKOLLOCK@UMES.EDU

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is proud to announce that UMES Hall of Fame Captain and current NFL Vice-President of Football Operations, Art Shell, will return to his alma mater on Friday, April 29, 2005 to promote the upcoming Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic on June 16, 2005 at the Ocean City Golf Club in Berlin, MD. The press conference will be held at the UMES Golf Academy located in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center on the campus of UMES in Princess Anne, MD.

The press conference will feature statements from University President Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, Nelson E. Townsend, Director of Athletics and Tournament Chairperson, Marshall Cropper, Director of the UMES Golf Academy and Tournament Director and Shell. After statements they will be available for questions and one on one interviews with the media. It begins at 2 p.m.

The press conference will be open to the public as registrations for the tournament will be accepted on site. The tournament features some 36 pro football luminaries, each playing with a foursome. A shotgun start is at 9 a.m. with proceeds from the tournament benefiting UMES student-athlete scholarships and the UMES Golf Academy.

The registration fee for the tournament is $250 per person and includes 18 holes of golf with a celebrity, a post-tournament meal, food and beverages on the course, a commemorative golf shirt and other gifts. A pre-tournament pairing party on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center is free to registered golfers and is $10 for guests.

Interested participants can register by calling 410-651-7908 or at the press conference. Checks, made payable to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Foundation, will be accepted, as will cash and credit card.

Members of the working media should RSVP to Stan Bradley at 410-651-6499.

Read the Official University Press Release Below

The 2005 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic will bring some of the National Football League's all-time greats to the Eastern Shore in June, an opportunity for local golfers to test their games against gridiron legends.

The tournament is on Thursday, June 16, at the Ocean City Golf Club in Berlin, MD, and features Shell (UMES Class of 1968, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders 1968-82, NFL Hall of Fame Class of 1989) and some 36 pro football luminaries, each playing with an area foursome. A shotgun start is at 9 a.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit UMES student-athlete scholarships and the UMES Golf Academy.

"I appreciate the opportunity my alma mater has given me to help raise vital funds for our NCAA Division I athletics program as well as the new Golf Academy," said Shell, the first African-American head coach of the modern NFL era (Oakland Raiders 1989-94) and currently senior vice president of football operations for the NFL. "I invite area golfers to come out and enjoy a day of fun and fellowship while assisting our youth in their pursuit of a college degree."

The tournament chairman is Nelson Townsend, UMES athletic director and alumnus (Class of 1962). "We are honored that Art has agreed to lend his prestigious name to this tournament and helped bring many of pro football's greatest to the Shore for the benefit of our student-athletes," said Townsend. "It's going to be a great event for a great cause."

The tournament director, Marshall Cropper (UMES Class of 1967), who played for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, is also the director of the UMES Golf Academy. "Our efforts to further the vision of UMES President Thelma B. Thompson to introduce the game of golf to our students and community youth will be significantly enhanced by the visibility this tournament brings to our fledgling program as well as the funds the event raises."

NFL Hall of Fame inductees who have committed to participate, in addition to Shell, include Elvin Bethea (Houston Oilers 1968-83, NFL HOF Class of 2003), Carl Eller (Minnesota Vikings 1964-78, Seattle Seahawks 1979, NFL HOF Class of 2004), Lenny Moore (Baltimore Colts 1956-67, NFL HOF Class of 1975) and Charley Taylor (Washington Redskins 1964-75, 1977, NFL HOF Class of 1984).

Other football stars who are participating include Mack Alston (UMES Class of 1971), Art DeCarlo, Johnny Grier, Carl Hairston (UMES Class of 1985), Roy Jefferson, Jimmy Jones, Kirk Mee, Lydell Mitchell, John Phillips, Otis Sistrunk, Bob Taylor (UMES Class of 1963), Jesse Thomas, Bill Thompson (UMES Class of 1969), Jim Wallace (UMES Class of 1967) and Gene Washington.

The registration fee for the tourney is $250 per person and includes 18 holes of golf with a celebrity, a post-tournament meal, food and beverages on the course, a commemorative golf shirt and other gifts. A pre-tournament pairing party on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. in the Hytche Center on campus is free to registered golfers, and $10 for guests.

To register, call the UMES Division of Institutional Advancement at 410-651-7773.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) has brought back one of the most prestigious and entertaining golf events to the Eastern Shore. On Thursday, June 16, 2005 the Ocean City Yacht & Country Club in Ocean City, MD will play host to the return of the Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic. The event, sponsored by the UMES Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will generate proceeds benefiting the UMES scholarship fund and the newly founded UMES Golf Academy.

"It is something we are very excited to have back on The Shore," said Nelson E. Townsend, Director of Athletics. "Art Shell is our Hall of Fame Captain and most prestigious athletic alumnus. This event, which used to be a fixture here on the Eastern Shore in the 90's, is now back, and we are very pleased to work with Art for another special event," continued Townsend.

The Classic will be played in a foursome format with individual costs marked at 250.00 per person. Each foursome will include three paid golfers and one celebrity. This year's celebrities include Carl Eller, a recent NFL Hall of Famer, Mack Alston, Otis Sistrunk, Johnny Grier, Elvin Bethea, Charlie Taylor, Jimmy Jones, Bobby Mitchell and Jim Wallace. More celebrities are still confirming.

"The goal is to raise 100,000 to help enhance the UMES Scholarship Fund," said Gail Aiken, Assistant to the Director and coordinator of the event. "Art has meant so much to the school and we are pleased he is going to help us again," she added.

UMES is also looking for corporate sponsors for the event. There are four levels, beginning at 5,000.00 and maxing out at 25,000.00. Each package includes at least four entries, eight in the higher packages, and advertising opportunities at the event. Ads in the souvenir program and course signage are also available. Businesses and organizations interested in helping should contact Gail Aiken at 410-651-7908.

Art Shell in his playing days with the Raiders

Art Shell is most recently known for his new job, that as Senior Vice President NFL Football Operations & Development. Prior to his front office day Shell is known as the first African-American Head Coach to coach in the NFL when he took over the Oakland Raiders job. He of course was also known as a player, and an NFL Hall of Famer, playing 15 seasons, including two Super Bowl wins. He earned a third ring as a coach with the Raiders. Shell was drafted out of then Maryland State, now UMES, in the third round in 1968 and was a two-time All-American.

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