Fred Biletnikoff plans return home for fundraiser to benefit Erie High athletic facility
Dale Mills is elated for Fred Biletnikoff’s brief return to Erie
Yes, some of the Erie High athletic director’s enthusiasm is because she’s never met one of the most prominent athletes in the city’s history.
Mostly, though, it’s because few if any of the school’s current students have either.
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The same students whose athletic facility is formally named for the Pro Football Hall of Famer for the Oakland Raiders.
Biletnikoff, a 1961 Tech Memorial graduate, will return home for an autograph session Wednesday at Bullfrog Bar, 3864 Peach St. His appearance, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., will serve as a major fundraiser for the Biletnikoff Field Restoration Project.
“It’s so exciting for the kids to be able to see someone who’s achieved so much from exactly where they are now,” Mills said.
A limited number of nonrefundable electronic tickets for Biletnikoff’s appearance are available through eventbrite.com at bit.ly/FredBvisit. The cost to enter is $35 for patrons who want autographs for photos, cards or printed flat materials, and $50 for all other items.
Walk-ins will be allowed as time permits.
All items Biletnikoff autographs must be provided by patrons.
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Biletnikoff also is scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Double-A Erie SeaWolves’ home baseball game against the Somerset Patriots on Thursday. The scheduled game time is 6:05 p.m., and the ceremonial pitch will be thrown at UPMC Park at approximately 5:50 p.m., according to the SeaWolves.
The SeaWolves will have an online auction with Biletnikoff-signed memorabilia, benefiting the Foundation for Erie’s Public Schools athletics project. Those looking to contribute to the fundraising efforts online can visit bit.ly/FredBvisit.
A Royal renovation
All proceeds from Wednesday's event will help offset the estimated $5 million to be spent on significant upgrades to Erie High’s athletic facility. An all-weather track, field turf and lights highlight the makeover.
The facility, located at the corner of Chestnut and Peach streets, is the same one Biletnikoff once played on as a Tech student. He parlayed his football success with the Centaurs into a college career at Florida State as a wide receiver and then a 14-year NFL career entirely spent with the Raiders.
Biletnikoff received the most valuable player award for Super Bowl XI, when Oakland beat Minnesota 32-14 on Jan. 9, 1977. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1988, 10 years after he caught the last of his 589 passes.
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This fall will be Andre Henderson’s third season as Erie High’s football coach.
Henderson, a Strong Vincent graduate, was an all-state player for the Colonels’ 2003 and 2004 District 10 championship teams.
Like Mills, Henderson has never met Biletnikoff in person. However, he has spoken by phone several times with the Hall of Famer.
It was through such calls that Biletnikoff, 80, agreed to send video messages to the Royals for their past two postseason award festivities.
The MVP of Erie High’s football team also received an award named in honor of the former Centaur.
“He thought that was great because no one from (Tech Memorial or Central Tech) ever named anything like that after him around here,” Henderson said. “Those (videos) were great talks.”
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Henderson said Erie High’s facility upgrades will help the Royals, at least in football, compete with like-sized programs such as Cathedral Prep and McDowell. He also hopes they’ll entice more students to come out for the team.
More than 50 participated in the Royals’ latest offseason conditioning program, Henderson said.
“It will be great to get our football field upgraded in (Biletnikoff’s) name,” he said. “Now, the kids (will know) where we’re going to practice. Things like that are an advantage we haven’t had.”
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Fred Biletnikoff plans return to Erie for May 24 field fundraiser
