Foundation:
Northwoods League Foundation
Celebrity Poker Tournament on January 31, 2011
The Northwoods League Foundation is holding a Celebrity Poker Tournament on January 31, 2011 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. This will be the inaugural event for the Foundation. Some former Northwoods League players now in the Major Leagues will be participating as well as some Minnesota and other sports celebrities. Proceeds of the event will go towards the Foundation's charitable efforts.
Some of the celebrities scheduled to attend:
- Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees (played for the Mankato Mashers in 2001)
- Jason Senti, Poker Professional (played on the final table of the World Series of Poker in 2010)
- Joe Vavra, Minnesota Twins (batting coach since 2006)
- Taylor Bills, Winner of ABC reality show "True Beauty" (played for the La Crosse Loggers in 2005)
- Danny Worth, Detroit Tigers (won NWL batting title playing for the Alexandria Beetles in 2006)
- Larry Rose, NFL Side Judge (officiated Super Bowl XLII between Giants and Patriots)
- Paul Allen, KFAN Radio (host of Paul Allen Show and voice of Minnesota Vikings football)
- Joe Nelson, KFAN Radio (producer of Paul Allen Show and former St. Cloud Rox announcer)
- Kevin Gorg, Fox Sports North (Minnesota Gopher and Minnesota Wild hockey analyst)
- Phil Mackey, 1500 ESPN (Co-Host of Reusse & Mackey, and co-founder of Minnesota State Poker Tour)
- Dick Jonckowski, Voice of the Gophers (Public Address announcer for University of Minnesota baseball and basketball)
Celebrity list is subject to change.
Cost:
Entry into the poker tournament is a $250 donation to the Northwoods League Foundation. Each poker player will be allowed to bring up to three guests for $25 apiece. Hors d'oeuvres will be complimentary and drinks will be available for purchase. Poker players will receive two tickets for free drinks.
Schedule of events:
- 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration and Social Hour
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Silent Auction
- 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Celebrity Introductions
- 7:30 – finish. Poker Tournament
- 7:30 – midnight. Social gathering for guests and eliminated poker players.
Poker Tournament Prizes:
- 1st Place: $2,500 plus a custom made winner's bracelet and a trip to Minnesota Twins Spring Training to golf with Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven and NFL Side Judge Larry Rose on March 22nd AND appear on Fox Sports North during the March 23rd telecast between Twins and Orioles
- 2nd Place: $1,000 plus a 22-person suite to one of 15 Minnesota Timberwolves games remaining this season (excludes Celtics, Heat & Lakers)
- 3rd Place: $750 plus a private poker lesson with Jason Senti
- 4th Place: $500 plus autographed sports memorabilia gift pack
- 5th Place: $250 plus Northwoods League apparel and tickets gift pack
All poker players will receive an autographed Northwoods League baseball. All poker players will be eligible for door prizes.
Silent Auction:
There will be a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, game tickets, and experiences with Northwoods League and sports celebrities.
Some items include:
- An Experience with Chris Sale
Watch Twins vs. White Sox; Enjoy a meal with Chris Sale
You and a guest will watch the Minnesota
Twins host the rival Chicago White Sox at Target Field in 2011,
and you and a guest will sit down for a meal with White Sox
left-handed pitcher Chris Sale. The Twins host the White Sox on
June 14-16, August 5-7, and September 5-7, 2011. Chris Sale was
an all-star pitcher for the Northwoods League’s La Crosse
Loggers in 2008. Just two years after appearing in the
Northwoods League and two months after being drafted 13th
overall by the White Sox, Sale made his Major League debut for
Chicago on August 6, 2010. The 21-year old went 2-1 with 4 saves
and a 1.93 ERA in 21 relief appearances his rookie season. He
struck out 32 batters, which was good for a 12.3 Ks per 9-inning
average.
- Golf with the Saberhagens
You and a guest will enjoy 18 holes of golf with Bret and Drew Saberhagen
Bret Saberhagen made a name for himself in
the 1980s winning World Series games and Cy Young Awards for the
Kansas City Royals. His career continues to be in baseball, but
his passion may very well be golf. Bret is a regular
participant in celebrity pro ams, and he golfs with his oldest
son Drew whenever they get the chance. Drew pitched four summers
for the Northwoods League’s Alexandria Beetles and will be
returning for his second summer as pitching coach in 2011.
You and a guest will join Bret and Drew Saberhagen for 18 holes at Geneva Golf Club in Alexandria sometime during the summer of 2011.
