(photo by Susan Urmy)
Clinic Bowl kicks off on Saturday
After last year's Clinic Bowl was called at a tie due to lightning, the rivalry has only intensified between Hillsboro High School and Franklin High School. They will meet again at the 2008 Clinic Bowl Kickoff Classic on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt's Dudley Stadium.
The 58th annual Clinic Bowl is organized by the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute. Funds raised will benefit various programs and services provided by the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute and Rehabilitation Services.
“The Clinic Bowl is all about the motto 'Strong legs run so weak legs can walk.' Its history has focused on helping adults and children in their time of need,” said Bill Rochford, Director of Client and Community Relations at Vanderbilt Medical Center and a 32-year Clinic Bowl volunteer. “It's a win-win-win situation — a win for the community, the students competing, and the patients.”
Tickets for the game are $7 and are on sale at Hillsboro High School, Franklin High School, three Franklin-area First Tennessee Bank branches, Famous Dave's, Grassland Market, and Cornerstone Financial at both the Vanderbilt and Franklin locations.
All Vanderbilt employees can attend the game free of charge by presenting their ID badge at the gate. Employee family members or guests will require a ticket to attend the game.
Student football players at local peewee leagues, middle schools and high schools receive free admission if they wear their football jersey.
The 2008 Clinic Bowl is dedicated to Miles Warfield Sr., who died in February. He was an active philanthropist and highly respected community leader, serving as the 1984 Clinic Bowl co-chair and the 1986 president of the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce.
The 2008 Honorary Clinic Bowl Poster Child is Faith Everingham, 5, who will attend the game with her parents.
Radio Sports Show host George Plaster, along with Willy Duanic and Darren McFarland, will be doing radio shows on 104.5 FM on Aug. 21 and 23 from 4-6 p.m.
On game day, the parking lots open at 4 p.m. and there will be a live broadcast of the radio show. The Clinic Bowl game will be broadcast on the Comcast Sports channel.
The Vanderbilt Health Plus facilities atop Kensington Garage will be open from 5:30-7 p.m.
All Vanderbilt faculty and staff and their families can take in the pre-game festivities from the balcony. They can also register to win an MP3 player and receive a complimentary ticket to attend the game.