The HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL notes since Rockets Owner LESLIE ALEXANDER bought the team in ’93, the organization has “implemented a number of community outreach programs and donated more than $10 million to charities.” The Clutch City Foundation “was established by Alexander to provide help, hope and inspiration to those who might otherwise be forgotten.” The recently established Rockets Give Back initiative “was launched around employee volunteerism” and includes “monthly community projects … where Rockets staff volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday at a partner agency” (HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/4 issue).
STANDING OUT: Flyers Scout PATRICK BURKE, whose brother BRENDAN died in a car crash last year, is “trying to change the homophobic culture of hockey dressing rooms.” Brendan “began speaking about being a gay athlete” after he came out in ’09 while playing on the Miami Univ. hockey team. Patrick and his family, including his dad, Maple Leafs GM BRIAN BURKE, have since “advocated for inclusivity, especially for gay athletes.” Patrick on Saturday spoke “about his brother’s story at the OutSport Toronto 2011 Fall Scrum” (TORONTO STAR, 11/4). The Flyers “have approved” all of Burke’s speaking engagements, “which are focused on the GForce Sports Invisible Athlete Forums, a talk given to various schools about coming out organized by an all-gay hockey team based in Denver” (NATIONAL POST, 11/6).
BORN TO RUN: The Magic had several employees run in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday. Marathon runners included Client Services Coordinator MICHAEL LOULAN (3:59:51) and Dir of Corporate Partnerships MICHAEL FORDE (4:34:30). The following ran the half marathon: Corporate Partnerships Account Managers J.T. MCWALTERS (2:15:49) and ERIN DANIELS (2:24:04); Corporate Partnership Activation SHERI ANDERSON (2:19:47); and Partnership Account Specialist MARY SONIA DEJESUS (2:29:38) (THE DAILY). Meanwhile, celebrity runners at the N.Y. Marathon on Sunday included U.S. speed skater APOLO OHNO (3:25:14), former EPL club Manchester United G EDWIN VAN DER SAR (4:19:16) and former U.S. softball P JENNIE FINCH (4:05:26) (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/7).
BOOK SHELF: Patriots RB DANNY WOODHEAD is the “star of a new kids’ book that’s all about perseverance.” The book, titled “DANNY WOODHEAD: FOOTBALL DREAM COME TRUE,” tells the “tale of a young Danny who wants to play in his team’s championship game, but the coach tells him he’s too small” (BOSTON HERALD, 11/8)....Former NFLer DAN PASTORINI has written an autobiography titled, “TAKING FLAK: MY LIFE IN THE FAST LANE” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 11/8).
NAMES: The Univ. of Minnesota yesterday said that it “will appeal a state Appeals Court ruling that upheld a $1 million award to would-be assistant men’s basketball coach JIMMY WILLIAMS for a rescinded job offer” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/8)….A federal judge has ordered boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. “to perform 40 hours of community service for dodging a deposition” (AP, 11/8)….Former NBAer YAO MING has “started classes at Jiaotong University, one of the top universities in his hometown Shanghai.” He is “studying mathematics, English and modern Chinese history, hoping they will aid his business career” (AP, 11/8)….The Country Music Association said that MLB Cardinals 3B DAVID FREESE will be one of the presenters at “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” tomorrow (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/8)….Under Armour Chair, President & CEO KEVIN PLANK paid $1.5M on Oct. 3 for a four-bedroom townhouse in the Georgetown neighborhood of DC (WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/4 issue).
IN MEMORY: Former Oakland Tribune Sports Editor BOB VALLI passed away last Wednesday of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s related causes at the age of 80. Valli served “on the writers’ committee that selected members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is widely credited for securing” late Raiders Owner AL DAVIS’ induction (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/6).
