All Star Weekend
ORLANDO, FLA. – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters alumni, will host more than 100 NBA Legends descending on Orlando for the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend from Feb. 23-26. The NBRPA will utilize All-Star Weekend as a vehicle to recognize the careers of its members, study African American impact on the game of basketball as part of Black History Month and give back to the community through its Legends Care philanthropic initiative.
"The NBRPA and its members are proud and honored to be an integral part of NBA All-Star Weekend 2012 to be held in Orlando February 23 to 26," said Arnie. D. Fielkow, Chief Executive Officer for the NBRPA. "We have planned a number of star-studded, fun and philanthropic events – including a first-ever, day-long celebration of Black History Month on February 24 – and the NBRPA hopes to help make this year’s All-Star Weekend the most memorable ever. On behalf of the NBRPA’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank our members, sponsors and supporters for making such an impactful agenda possible."
From celebrity golf and bowling events overflowing with sports and celebrity star appeal, to the always-anticipated 13th Annual Legends Brunch, the greatest basketball players from every era will bring unprecedented buzz to the NBA’s showcase weekend of the year. New for 2012 will be a full series of events designed to celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 24, including a community school visit, public reception and Hardwood Pioneers Reflect discussion panel, all presented by Wells Fargo. Panelists invited to discuss African American impact on the history of basketball include Elgin Baylor, Wayne Embry, Julius Erving, Dr. Richard A. Lapchick, Meadowlark Lemon, Dolph Schayes and Earl Lloyd, the first African American to ever play in an NBA game. The Honorable Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and former Mayor of the City of New Orleans, will serve as emcee and moderator for the discussion.
The NBRPA’s action-packed roster of activities for All-Star Weekend tips off at 11 a.m. on Feb. 23 with the Orlando Chapter All-Star Celebrity Golf Challenge, benefitting Alonzo Mourning Charities, at the prestigious Grand Cypress Golf Course (located at 1 North Jacaranda Street in Orlando). Celebrities slated to hit the links as part of this very special charity event include Mourning, Moses Malone, Nick Anderson, Artis Gilmore, and members of the Orlando NBRPA Chapter. Later that same day, at 4 p.m. in the Orange County Civic Center’s North Building (located at 9400 Universal Boulevard in Orlando), several former NBA players will pass basketball fundamentals and knowledge on to youngsters as part of the Legends Basketball Clinic at NBA Jam Session. This very full opening day of Legends All-Star Weekend activities will culminate at 7:30 p.m. when the NBRPA hosts the All-Star Strike 300 Bowling Challenge – in conjunction with Women Standing Tall – at World Bowling Center (located at 7540 Canada Avenue in Orlando). Baylor and several of today’s current NBA stars will headline a list of stars that will roll for 300 and raise philanthropic funds for Women Standing Tall and Legends Care. Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson will host the event.
Friday, Feb. 24 marks the launch of "The NBRPA Celebrates Black History Month, Presented by Wells Fargo." This series of events will celebrate and examine the impact of African Americans on both American History and the sport of basketball. The day of celebration begins at noon with a community visit to Maynard Evans High School (located at 2751 Lake Stanley Road in Orlando) as part of the Legends Care Music & Education Series. As part of this school visit, former New York Knicks star and PhD Dr. Richard Barnett will inspire students with his Education & Dreams Lecture Series, and the Legends Band – a soulful group comprised of former NBA greats – will conclude with an inspirational musical performance. In a continuation of its celebration of Black History Month, the NBRPA and Wells Fargo will host a public reception for fans at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel (located at 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.) in the Osprey Ballroom beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Hardwood Pioneers Reflect roundtable event at 6:15 p.m. Tickets to the public reception and roundtable event are $50 and can be purchased at: http://hardwoodpioneersreflect.eventbrite.com/
While Saturday, Feb. 25., marks a very important day for internal business and advancement for the NBRPA, the Association will partner with the women behind its members for a very special Legends Ladies Empowerment Mixer in the Swan Hotel’s Swan Ballroom at 4 p.m. Led by Elgin Baylor’s wife, Elaine Baylor, the NBRPA’s signature ladies event will feature a keynote speaker and ample networking opportunities with Wells Fargo. Saturday will also include a community action event for NBRPA members in conjunction with the National and Central Florida Urban League. More information on this community event to be held between 3:30-5 p.m. will be announced in the near future.
The NBRPA will once again stage a marquee event for All-Star Weekend, in conjunction with the NBA, on Sunday, Feb. 26, when the Association hosts the 13th Annual Legends Brunch featuring TNT’s Ernie Johnson as master of ceremonies at the Bonnet Creek Hilton (located at 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane in Orlando, Fla.). The Legends Brunch will be broadcast live on NBA-TV and seen in more than 50 million households. This year’s award recipients include Legends Nick Anderson, Artis Gilmore, Anfernee Hardaway, Dominique Wilkins and Pat Williams.
Following the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26, the NBRPA’s Orlando Chapter will close All-Star Festivities with its Fire & Ice Party, to be held at Citrus Restaurant (located at 821 North Orange Avenue in Orlando) at 10 p.m. This event will benefit Rock Pink, a local Orlando-based charity whose mission is to bring music and humanity together center stage to raise breast health awareness and support local breast cancer programs. The Rock Pink Concert Series was developed in 2008 and its cornerstone was the Rock Pink Battle of the Bands in which local talent jointly promoted shows and competed with each other, with the winner earning the coveted opening spot at a national Rock Pink show.
The NBRPA and its Legends Care program have gained an unprecedented amount of support from corporate America. The companies giving back to Legends Care during All-Star Weekend include Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Canvas Pop, Guitar Center, Loudmouth Golf, Miss Jessie’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Panini, Real Estate Mortgage Network, UBS Financial Services, Victory Water, Walls 360 and Wells Fargo.
A full schedule of National Basketball Retired Players Association activities during NBA All-Star Weekend follows:
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 |
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9:00am - 5:00pm |
All-Star Lounge Office Hours/Registration |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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11:00am - 4:00pm |
Orlando Chapter All-Star Celebrity Golf Challenge |
Grand Cypress Golf Course |
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4:30pm - 5:00pm |
NBA Jam Session Ribbon Cutting Ceremony |
Orange County Convention Center |
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5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Legends Basketball Clinic at NBA Jam Session |
Orange County Convention Center |
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5:30pm - 8:00pm |
New Board Retreat |
Ambassador Suite |
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7:30pm - 10:30pm |
All-Star Strike 300 Bowling Challenge |
World Bowling Center |
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 - NBRPA Celebrates Black History Month, Presented by Wells Fargo |
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8:00am - 10:30am |
New Board Retreat |
Ambassador Suite |
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9:00am - 8:00pm |
All-Star Lounge/Office Hours |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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9:00am - 8:00pm |
NBRPA Registration |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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11:00am - 2:00pm |
BTB Luncheon |
Swan Ballroom (2-4) |
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12:00pm - 2:00pm |
Legends Care Music & Education Series |
Evans High School, Orlando |
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4:00pm - 10:00pm |
NBA All-Star Jam Session |
Orange County Convention Center |
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4:30pm - 5:15pm |
Private Legends Welcome Reception |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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5:15pm - 6:00pm |
Fan Reception |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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6:00pm - 7:45pm |
Hardwood Pioneers Reflect - Round Table Event |
Swan Ballroom (2-4) |
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8:00pm - 11:00pm |
NBA Welcome Party |
Disney's Epcot |
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9:00pm |
NBA Rising Stars Challenge |
Amway Center |
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 |
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7:00am - 8:30am |
Chapter President's Meeting |
Macaw |
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7:30am - 8:00pm |
All-Star Lounge/Office Hours |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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8:00am - 11:45am |
NBRPA Members Breakfast & Meeting |
Swan Ballroom (2-4) |
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8:45am - 11:00am |
Newsmakers Breakfast Hosted by Diane Stern |
Waldorf Astoria |
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9:00am - 10:00pm |
NBA All-Star Jam Session |
Orange County Convention Center |
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12:00pm - 2:30pm |
Sitting Board of Directors Meeting |
Ambassador Suite |
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3:30pm - 5:00pm |
Community Event with Urban League |
TBD |
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4:00pm - 5:30pm |
Legends Ladies Event: Empowerment |
Swan Ballroom (9-10) |
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8:00pm |
NBA All-Star Saturday Night |
Amway Center |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 |
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8:00am - 6:00pm |
All-Star Lounge/Office Hours |
Osprey Ballroom (1&2) |
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8:00am - 9:00am |
Legends All-Star Chapel Service |
Swan Ballroom (6) |
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9:00am - 5:00pm |
NBA All-Star Jam Session |
Orange County Convention Center |
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10:00am - 1:00pm |
13th Annual Legends Brunch |
Bonnet Creek Hilton |
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7:00pm |
NBA All-Star Game |
Amway Center |
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10:00pm |
Orlando Chapter Fire & Ice Party |
Citrus Restaurant |
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TIMES & LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ALL EVENTS |
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