In Chicago, Dan McGrath profiled sportsradio personality CHET COPPOCK, who on Sept. 18 will "receive a lifetime achievement award" from the Chicagoland Sports HOF. After being "an airwaves fixture since the mid-'70s, Coppock hasn't had a daily, mainstream gig in his hometown in nearly a decade." Coppock has participation in the Blackhawks' Heritage Series, the "centerpiece of a schedule that includes Notre Dame pre- and postgame shows, commercial work and involvement with Newsbox.com, a website offering commentary and videos on various topics amid a heavy dose of high school hockey" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/19).
CHARITY STRIPE: The Miami Dolphins Foundation Fins Weekend Fishing Tournament at Miami Beach Arena "expects to have raised more than $800,000 this year." In 17 years of running the event, the Dolphins have raised over $11M for the local community (MIAMI HERALD, 5/19)....Thirty-four current and former Patriots players and coaches on Saturday put on a "free youth football clinic for 550 kids in Newtown, Conn., presenting an autographed uni shirt to Sandy Hook Elementary School" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/19)....Lakers G KOBE BRYANT yesterday announced "Kobe Up Close," an Aug. 15 charity event to be held at Nokia Theatre to "help eradicate homelessness" (LATIMES.com, 5/19)....The Univ. of Michigan's Champions for Children's Hearts weekend raised $1M for the C.S. Mott Children's hospital. Former NFLer STEVE HUTCHINSON said, "Our goal is to make Mott No. 1. It's now one of the top 10 in the country for children's hospital. Our goal is to get it to No. 1" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/20)....Students from several Charlotte schools attended Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race, "thanks to the Shell Fuel For Success program." The program "brings together kids with local police departments, helping them get to know officers as regular people" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/19).
NAMES: Former NFL agent BENJAMIN GELLER has been "charged with taking nearly half a million dollars from the proceeds of a life insurance policy meant for" late client FRANK WARREN's wife and family. Geller on Friday was "charged in a one-count bill of information with wire fraud" (WWLTV.com, 5/16)....NFL Special Events Planner MEREDITH MACKINNON while traveling from Indianapolis to N.Y. on May 9 got a blood clot "lodged in her lung, resulting in stress on her heart and sending her into cardiac arrest." She was "twice revived by EMTs and doctors." NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL "sent a bouquet of flowers," and Panthers Owner JERRY RICHARDSON "delivered a message of support" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/19)....JAY-Z's Roc Nation Sports bought new client WNBA Shock G SKYLAR DIGGINS a "brand new Mercedes as a graduation present," complete with "red bow" (SI.com, 5/19)....A’s Assistant GM DAVID FORST and his wife, REBE GLASS, “welcomed their second child” on Wednesday, a daughter named SASHA (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/19)....Celebrities attending Saturday's Preakness Stakes included musician GENE SIMMONS and wife, SHANNON TWEED, actors KEVIN SPACEY and JOSH CHARLES, chef BOBBY FLAY, NBC news anchor HARRY SMITH and wife, NBC Sports' ANDREA JOYCE and Olympic gymnastics coach BELA KAROLYI (BALTIMORESUN.com, 5/18).
IN MEMORY: Broadcaster GEOFF GOWAN died on Thursday at the age of 83 “after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s disease.” Gowan was a member of the Order of Canada and of Canada’s Sports HOF, and was "an articulate broadcaster" (CP, 5/18).
