CHAMPIONS FOR FALLEN SOLDIERS TO HOLD FUNDRAISING EVENT

(NASHVILLE)

Gaylord Opryland® Resort & Convention Center and a team of sports legends involved with the organization Champions 4 Champions are joining forces to honor fallen troops and their families through a special event, Champions for Fallen Soldiers, at Gaylord Opryland.  Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe and retired stars from the NBA and NFL will be on hand during this exciting weekend to dine, give sporting demonstrations, play golf and entertain guests, Sept. 7- 8.     Deep discounts are available for government-issued military cardholders during this weekend.

Bowe will lead a team of champions from professional sports during this two-day event.  Participants include:  Billy Joe Dupree and Ed "Too Tall" Jones, both formerly of the Dallas Cowboys; Ricky Sanders, formerly with the Washington Redskins; Everson Walls, formerly of the New York Giants; and NBA greats Lamar Green and Glem Haskins, both from the Phoenix Suns. 

"Gaylord Opryland is committed to showing our troops and their families how much their efforts are appreciated," said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "We also strive to provide an array of events that our guests will enjoy. Combining sports with the military is a wonderful way to raise money for such a good cause."

The weekend will kick off with a training session featuring Bowe. The event will also include a golf tournament at Gaylord Springs® Golf Links, an awards banquet, an auction, as well as meet-and-greets with the athletes, and a Champions 4 Champions evening benefit concert from country music star Mark Wills and some of his friends.   Wills, the host of Great American Country's “The Year,” has had 10 Top-10 hits, including "Nineteen Something," "Don't Laugh At Me," "I Do" and "Back at One."  His current single, "Days of Thunder," will be released on an album titled Familiar Stranger this fall. 

"Supporting our military families, whose loved ones have paid the ultimate sacrifice, is extremely important to me," Wills said. "I am proud to be part of this weekend and hope everyone will find it in their heart to support this event."

The Champions for Fallen Soldiers event is part of an initiative by the radio show “Sports Inside and Out” to give U.S. troops and their families the opportunity to participate in U.S. Army Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) events. 

"MWR is pleased to partner with Gaylord Opryland and Champions 4 Champions for such a great event," said Sgt. Maj. Willie Wilson. "Our mission is to serve the needs, interests and responsibilities of each individual in the Army for as long as they are associated with the Army. Joining forces with these famed athletes at a world-renowned resort to raise money for the families affected by war can draw more attention to our noteworthy cause."

Champions 4 Champions is an organization that joins celebrated sports, entertainment and music figures with military troops in impactful programs. Specifically, the Champions 4 Champions Troop Morale Program connects soldiers more than 8,000 miles from home with the opportunity to participate in MWR family events, such as celebrity base appearances. The program includes military installations in the U.S. to enable soldiers to interact with “Sports Inside and Out” celebrity athletes, dignitaries and loved ones using video collaboration technology.
Special value packages for the Champions for Fallen Soldiers weekend are available so that guests can get up close and personal with these famed legends. All packages include two-night room accommodations at Gaylord Opryland; VIP seating to the Riddick Bowe training session, Sept. 7; and tickets to the Mark Wills concert Sept. 8.

The price for the basic silver package is $224*. Guests can upgrade to a gold or platinum package to receive VIP seating at all events plus admission to the welcome reception, the golf tournament and the meet-and-greet. 

The events can be purchased individually as well. Tickets for the Riddick Bowe training session start at $30, tickets for the Mark Wills and friends concert start at $30, meet and greet with sports legends at $30 and tickets to the golf tournament start at $175, which includes green fees and an awards luncheon.

A portion of the proceeds received during this fun-filled weekend will be given to the MWR's Families of Fallen Soldiers program.

The Champions for Fallen Soldiers event is a great way to interact in once-in-a-lifetime occasions with some of sports' biggest stars, all while paying tribute to U.S. troops. Visit gaylordopryland.com for more information.  To book your package, call 1.888.999.OPRY (6779).  For more information, visit champions4champions.org. For more information about Mark Wills, visit markwills.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm.

*Rate is per person based on double occupancy for traditional accommodations, plus applicable tax and daily resort fee. 

ABOUT GAYLORD OPRYLAND NASHVILLE
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - the largest non-gaming in-hotel facility in the continental United States - is known for providing superior products and services to the meetings and convention industry.  Winner of numerous prestigious awards including the coveted Gold Key Elite Award in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and Gold Platter Elite in 2004, 2005 and 2006, Gaylord Opryland Nashville is the flagship property of the Gaylord Hotels brand owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit gaylordentertainment.com or gaylordopryland.com.

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