Boys and Girls Club Press Release June 21st, 2024
The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County will hold their 23rd Champions Dinner on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Eastview Parks & Recreation Center beginning at 6:30 PM.
The Champions Dinner event is a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club that serves many children annually throughout Greeneville & Greene County with a variety of after-school, summer, and youth sports programs. Tennessee Volunteer football legend Heath Shuler will be the guest speaker for this year’s event.
Heath Shuler is a former politician and professional football quarterback who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 11th congressional district. Shuler played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons prior to his political career. Shuler played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he was named Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year, and was selected by the Washington Redskins third overall in the 1994 NFL draft. After three seasons in Washington, Shuler was traded to the New Orleans Saints.
Shuler’s athletic career began at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. Shuler was a standout quarterback who led his team to three North Carolina state football championships while in high school. Shuler was named as the North Carolina High School Player of the Year and he attracted tremendous recruiting attention from across the country before accepting an athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee in 1990.
Under legendary Tennessee Volunteer head coaches Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer, Shuler gained national attention as one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks. After a limited role in the 1991 season behind quarterback Andy Kelly, he became a prolific passer. In the 1992 season, he passed for 1,712 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and four interceptions as Tennessee finished with a 9–3 record. The next season, he finished with 2,354 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions as Tennessee finished with a 9–2–1 record. He held nearly all Tennessee Volunteer passing records by the end of his collegiate career; most were subsequently eclipsed by Peyton Manning. In 1993, Shuler was the Southeastern Conference (SEC) player of the year and came in second behind Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
This year’s event is title sponsored by Ballad Health / Greeneville Community Hospital and John Deere. The speaker is sponsored by Greeneville Federal Bank, the event meal is sponsored by Dr. Chris Bullington and the reception to meet Heath Shuler is sponsored by the Greeneville Energy Authority and Marsh Propane.
The Champions Dinner is known for its dynamic speakers which have included past speakers such as Pat Summitt, Phil Fulmer, Tee Martin, Dale Ellis, Rick Barnes, Josh Dobbs, Grant Williams, Dale Murphy and many more. “This year promises to be no different, with Heath Shuler,” stated Scott Bullington, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club. “Heath Shuler embodies everything that is right with sports today and he is very accomplished in politics, business and community service, in addition to his previous feats on the football field” Bullington added.
Tables, tickets, program ads and other sponsorships are available. Tables and tickets are limited, so reserve your tickets or table as soon as possible. For more information on the Boys & Girls Club event contact Scott Bullington or Peyton Malone at 423-787-9322, email Bullington at [email protected] or stop by the Boys & Girls Club at 740 West Church Street.
