NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The American Diabetes Association of Tennessee confirmed the addition of several Titans players for the Inaugural Coach Mike Munchak's "Strikes to Stop Diabetes" Bowling Tournament that will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14 at the Hillwood Strike & Spare Family Fun Center in West Nashville.
Hillwood Strike and Spare is located at 3710 Annex Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209. A limited amount of teams are also still available to the public.
Titans players confirmed to date include: Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker, Rusty Smith, Nate Washington, Kenny Britt, Michael Roos, Eugene Amano, Steve Hutchinson, Kamerion Wimbley, Brett Kern, Marc Mariani, Colin McCarthy, Gerald McRath, Michael Griffin, Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner, Damian Williams, Karl Klug, SenDerrick Marks, Jurrell Casey, Derrick Morgan, Kevin Matthews, Fernando Velasco, Daniel Graham, Craig Stevens and Akeem Ayers.
Additionally, Titans Coaches scheduled to participate include: Offensive Coordinator, Chris Palmer; Defensive Coordinator, Jerry Gray and Offensive Line Coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Bruce Matthews; Linebackers Coach, Frank Bush and Assistant Head Coach/ Strength and Conditioning, Steve Watterson.
Also, former players Frank Wycheck, Blaine Bishop, Brad Hopkins, Kevin Mawae, Chris Sanders, Zach Piller and Derrick Mason round out the list of over 50 current/ former Titans players and coaches expected to take part in the fundraiser.
Additional players will be added as the event draws closer.
The format for the event promises to provide lots of entertainment and interaction with the Titans celebrities. Teams will consist of four bowlers, and a Titans player or coach will become a fifth member. The teams will bowl three-games and will rotate different members of the Titans during the event. Several championship bowl-offs will occur and will be awarded prizes, as well.
Teams of four are $1,200 each. Half teams, consisting of 2 bowlers, can also be purchased for $600. No general admission tickets will be available. All bowlers will receive a commemorative bowling shirt and a team photo with at least one of the celebrity bowlers. In addition, the entire Titans group will be accessible to meet, get autographs and take pictures with during the evening.
To purchase a team or half team, please contact Kristie P. Ryan at 615.298.3066 ext. 3335 or krryan@diabetes.org at the American Diabetes Association. Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available.
About Pinnacle Financial Partners
Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, mortgage and insurance products and services. The firm began operations in a single downtown Nashville location in October 2000. Pinnacle is the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, with 29 offices in eight Middle Tennessee counties and three offices in Knoxville. Pinnacle became the official bank of the Tennessee Titans in 2009. The firm received the Federal Reserve's 2012 Community Reinvestment Award for strengthening small businesses in lower-income communities. Additional information concerning Pinnacle can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.
About the American Diabetes Association – Tennessee
Diabetes is the leading health problem in the state of Tennessee according to the Tennessee Department of Health. The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of ALL people affected by diabetes. We work to accomplish this mission through education, advocacy, and research. Over the years, the ADA has invested more than half a billion dollars and provided funding for nearly 4,000 research projects, with a continuing emphasis on training new investigators and pursuing novel strategies for curing, treating, and preventing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association is currently funding nine researchers across Tennessee for a total of $2,577,839. Locally funded programs include:
• Camp Sugar Falls is the only day camp for diabetic children in Tennessee and is a program of the American Diabetes Association and is held annually at the YMCA's Camp Widjiwagen.
• Diabetes NOW! is an annual educational symposium free to the community featuring speakers, cooking demonstrations, diabetes related products and programs, and health screenings.
• Our Advocacy program provides a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
• Our Safe at School program educates families and school staff about appropriate care and treatment of children with diabetes and works to ensure that a diabetic child's needs will be safely met in the school setting, free from discrimination.
• Educational materials are provided at no charge upon request and through more than 250 health fairs statewide.
• The African American Program works to educate the African American population about their increased risk of diabetes through a church related educational series called Project Power. More than 500 churches throughout Tennessee and North Mississippi participate each year.
