Red Cross chapter will auction sports memorabilia in March
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 13, 2006 1:52 PM
A Willie Mays autographed baseball, a hat signed by golf enthusiast Tom Watson and a photograph with Richard Petty's signature on it -- these will be among the many items at the third annual Sports Memorabilia Auction.
The auction, a fundraiser for the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross, will be March 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Lane Tree Country Club.
This year's goal is $20,000, said Chuck Waller, Red Cross director. He said the auction raised $18,000 last year.
News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit
Clyde King, left, New York Yankees, and George Whitfield, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame member and a Red Cross board member, display a few of the items that will be included in this year's Sports Memorabilia Auction. Both are auction committee members.
Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a table of eight. They may be purchased at the chapter house, 600 N. George St.
Outback Steakhouse is providing the meal.
The chapter has collected about 120 items this year, which include sports memorabilia as well as other items.
"There is some really good stuff from some big notable sports personalities," Waller said. "There are all kinds of interesting, fun things.
"Our quality of items has grown from the first year. We're expecting this to be another fun event."
The first Sports Memorabilia Auction raised $13,000. About 200 people attended the event. The speaker was Gene Causby, former Goldsboro High School football coach.
He discussed his experiences as an educator and a coach and talked about finding one's way in life and how life experience changes perspective.
During the second auction, special guests among the 300 attending included a table of military personnel who had recently returned from Iraq and several veterans with the local chapter of the Order of Purple Heart.
Entertainer Freddie Pierce performed a patriotic routine about the U.S. flag.
"Money raised stays in Wayne County to help collect blood, help victims of single-family fires, train people in CPR and first aid and provide an around-the-clock emergency link with military personnel and their families," Waller said.
Some of the items to be auctioned this year include:
*2005 Final 4 MVP Sean May autographed Sports Illustrated "Return to Glory."
*New York Yankees 100-year anniversary baseball signed by Yogi Berra and Don Larsen.
*"Shot Heard Around the World" baseball autographed by Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca.
*2005-06 University of North Carolina men's team signed basketball.
*Willie Mays autographed baseball.
*Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub," team signed baseball.
*Two six-month family fitness center gift certificates from the Family Y.
*Two footballs autographed by Mack Brown, head coach of the 2006 national champion University of Texas football team.
*Miniature helmet autographed by former Baltimore Colt halfback HOF Lenny Moore.
*Penn State University miniature helmet signed by Joe Paterno.
*University of North Carolina hat signed by Roy Williams, Rashad McCants and Sean May.
*Adams Golf hat signed by Tom Watson.
*Hat and photo signed by Richard Petty.
*"Unlimited Partners" book signed by former presidential candidate Sen. Bob Dole.