July 17, 2006

AMHERST, Mass. - Some of the top names in the world of sports will be on hand for the Third Annual Julius Erving Celebrity Golf Classic. You can join these top-level stars for a weekend of golf, fun and entertainment by calling UMass at 413-545-4290. In addition to Dr. J., the celebrities include George Gervin, Bob Beamon, Marcus Allen, Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone and Bill Russell.

Schedule of Events

Sunday, July 30, 2006
at Basketball Hall of Fame
Springfield, Mass.
4:00 p.m.
VIP Reception

5:00-7:30 p.m.
Pairings Party and Auction

Monday, July 31, 2006
at The Orchards Golf Course
South Hadley, Mass.
7:30 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast

9:00 a.m.
Shotgun Tee-Off

1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Lunch Party

To register or for more information, please call the UMass Athletic Association at 413-545-4290

Here's a glance at some of the stars from the world of sports and entertainment for are scheduled to play in the event:

The event will feature six Hall of Famers, including Erving. From the Basketball Hall of Fame will be 2004 inductee Clyde Drexler, who was a 10-time NBA All-Star with the Portland Trailblazers and Houston Rockets. He is one of only three players in NBA history to compile 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists. Moses Malone, who went into the Hall of Fame in 2001 will also play. Malone was a 12-time all-star playing in both the ABA and NBA. A twelve time NBA All-Star, Malone led the NBA in rebounding six times and averaged more than 20 points per game for 11 consecutive seasons. He led the Philadelphia 76ers to the 1983 NBA Championship and was named the Finals MVP.

Bill Russell was the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics' dynasty of the 1960s, an uncanny shotblocker who revolutionized NBA defensive concepts. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 12-time All-Star, the angular center amassed 21,620 career rebounds, an average of 22.5 per game, and led the league in rebounding four times. He had 51 boards in one game, 49 in two others, and a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. His many individual accolades were well deserved, but they were only products of Russell's philosophy of team play.

1996 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, George Gervin's playing record speaks volumes. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have won more league scoring championships than Gervin's four, and he was the first guard ever to win three titles in a row. His career scoring average of 26.2 points per game is among the game's best as is his combined NBA/ABA total of 26,595 points. During his career, Gervin recorded a remarkable streak of scoring double figures in 407 consecutive games. And he twice placed second in voting for the regular-season MVP Award.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen was enshrined in 2003 after a stellar career with the Raiders and Chiefs. He was the 1981 Heisman Trophy winner as well as NFL Rookie of the Year in 1982. He led the Raiders to the championship of Super Bowl XVIII as he was named the game's MVP. First player in NFL history to rush for 10,000-plus yards and catch passes for 5,000 more and was named to six Pro Bowls.

All-time Olympic great Bob Beamon joins the field this year. Beamon is an American track and field star, best known for his long-standing world record in the long jump. Beamon, set a world record for the long jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City with a jump of 8.90 m (29 ft. 2-1/2 in.). His world record stood for 23 years, and was named by Sports Illustrated magazine as one of the five greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

Other former stars from the hardwood include: Randy Smith, John Starks, Gus Williams, Donny Marshall and Matt Bonner. Anthony, who played for the 1990 UNLV national championship, played for six NBA teams, most notably the New York Knicks. He is currently an NBA analyst for ESPN. Smith set the NBA record for consecutive games played from 1972-82, spanning 820 games with the Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and San Diego Clippers. He was the MVP of the 1978 NBA All-Star Game. Starks was a key component to the New York Knicks' success in the mid-90s as he played 13 years in the NBA. Starks is the Knicks' all-time leader in three-point field goals and was a All-Star in 1994.

Gus Williams was known as the "The Wizard" during his NBA career spent primarily with the Seattle SuperSonics. He played 11 years in the NBA helping the Sonics to their only NBA title in 1979 as well as being a two-time all-star. Matt Bonner is a current star with the NBA's Toronto Raptors and brother of UMass center Luke Bonner. Matt was a standout in college at Florida.

From the football gridiron, Andre Tippett, Richard Dent, Nat Moore, Maurice Spencer and Joe Washington will take part in the event. Tippett was a five-time Pro Bowler with the New England Patriots and helped them to Super Bowl XX. Tippett played 12 seasons for the Patriots, and tied cornerback Michael Haynes' team record for a defensive player by going to five consecutive Pro Bowls. He was a second round draft pick in 1982, and in 1984 he set a franchise record with 18.5 sacks.

Dent was the MVP of Super Bowl XX as he lifted the Chicago Bears to the NFL Championship. He was a four-time Pro Bowler spending 14 years in the NFL, the first 10 with the Bears. Moore played 13 years with the Miami Dolphins and earned several invitations to the Pro Bowl. He finished his career as one of the Dolphins all-time leading receivers.

Spencer was a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints and spent eight years as the team's starting cornerback. Washington spent eight seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons. As a tailback, he led the NFL in receptions in 1979 earning Pro Bowl accolades.

There will be several former UMass stars on hand, most notably 2005 UMass Hall of Famer Gary DiSarcina. DiSarcina, one UMass' top shortstops ever, parlayed three outstanding collegiate seasons into a 12-year major league career with the California/Anaheim Angels. He was a 1995 All-Star and is currently working as a broadcaster on Red Sox telecasts for NESN.

Other celebrities include ESPN personalities SportsCenter anchor John Anderson and master researcher Howie Schwab from the show "Stump the Schwab", former Devil, Bruin and Capital and Stanley Cup winner Bobby Carpenter, former Bruin Bob Miller, former Georgia college basketball star Joe Ward, Grammy award-winning musician David Porter entrepreneur and consulting expert Stedman Graham and NBA TV broadcaster Andre Aldridge.