Bulldog Foundation to host ‘Building Futures Extravaganza’ - Rossford Record
The Bulldog Foundation is proud to present the first annual “Building Futures Extravaganza.”
The fund-raising dinner will be Thursday, May 31, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons, Perrysburg.
Eight-season NFL running back and ESPN football analyst Merril Hoge will be the guest speaker.
“Drawing on his experiences as an NFL star and cancer survivor, Merril will share important lessons on overcoming obstacles and achieving success through hard work and perseverance,” said Doug Miller, president of the board for the Bulldog Foundation.
“Merril will inspire us with his story of prevailing over life’s hurdles through strength and determination.”
Mr. Hoge began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted in 1987 and played until 1993, leading the team in rushing and receiving in four of his first five years, setting a record in his third year for receptions by a running back.
In 1993, Mr. Hoge went to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he played for one year, until he was forced to retire early due to post-concussion syndrome.
At retirement, Mr. Hoge had played in 122 consecutive football games, the longest playing streak in the NFL at that time.
In 1995, Mr. Hoge joined ESPN as a football analyst, and worked on “NFL Match Up,” which was the only show studying coaches’ tape to provide an inside look at the game.
He also served as analyst for the ESPN shows “NFL Live,” “Sports Center,” “Primetime” and “NFL Countdown.”
“During his tenure as an ESPN analyst and host, he was well-known for his sharp knowledge of the game,” Mr. Miller explained.
In 2003, Mr. Hoge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he fought with the same tenacity demonstrated on the field. He shared his moving story in his 2010 memoir, “Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life.”
“These successes and challenges have helped Merril inspire others to persevere in the face of adversity along with achieving success,” Mr. Miller said.
A leading advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association and Safety in Sports, he also is an active contributor to shaping communications regarding head trauma in all sports.
In addition, he is chairman of the board of the Caring Place, a center for grieving children and their families who have lost a loved one.
Tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of 10 for $800.
VIP sponsors are being sought for the event, and they will have the opportunity to attend a private reception with Mr. Hoge prior to the dinner.
The Bulldog Foundation is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization committed to building futures for students in the
Rossford School District with scholarships and classroom grants.
Also serving on the Bulldog Foundation board are Amy Austin, Moe Minarcin, Ed Reiter, Neil MacKinnon III, Rex Huffman, Joseph Schaller, Tim Yenrick, Tim Myers and Kent Murphree.
For more information, visit the Bulldog Foundation website at thebulldogfoundation.org.