Phil Martelli, Billy Cunningham, Brad Childress, Billy King, Lorrie Fair to attend

PHILADELPHIA – Local celebrities from the Philadelphia sports world will join Magee Rehabilitation Hospital to recognize area athletes who participate in wheelchair sports at Magee's Fourth Annual Night of Champions. The event, scheduled for Friday, May 7, from 7 - 10 p.m. , will be held at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on South Columbus Blvd.

St. Joseph's University men's basketball coach Phil Martelli, NBA Hall-of-Famer and Magee Board Member Billy Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers president and general manager Billy King, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress, soccer star Lorrie Fair, LaSalle University men's basketball coach Billy Hahn, former Flyers goaltender and NHL Hall-of-Famer Bernie Parent, former Flyers players Joe Watson and Ed Van Impe, former Eagles player Mike Mamula, WPVI-6 TV anchor Scott Palmer, and former Penn State and Eastern High School football player Adam Taliaferro are among the celebrities scheduled to attend.

The event recognizes many athletes from across Pennsylvania , New Jersey and Delaware who participate in wheelchair sports at Magee.

Also at the event, John J. Dougherty, business manager for IBEW Local Union No. 98, will receive the Magee Rehabilitation Champion in the Community Award. The award is presented to a community leader who supports and advocates for individuals with disabilities.

The region's top sponsor of sports and leisure activities for individuals with disabilities, Magee offers wheelchair sports programs in basketball, tennis, rugby, softball and martial arts. Magee athletes have participated in competitions throughout the world, including the Paralympics, held every four years at the site of the summer Olympics.

The hospital hosts annual basketball, tennis and rugby tournaments that attract athletes from across the United States and Canada . These activities promote greater independence, raise self-esteem and improve the quality of life for Magee's current and former patients, as well as others in the Philadelphia region.

The Night of Champions also includes live and silent auctions featuring a number of autographed sports memorabilia items. Tickets cost $110, with many group sponsorship packages available. Also, an hour before the event, Chaddsford Winery will host a wine tasting VIP reception to benefit Magee. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, please call (215) 587-3090.

Sponsors of the Night of Champions include IBEW Local No. 98/NECA; GlaxoSmithKline; Rittenhouse Asset Management; Pennsylvania State Representative Dwight Evans; PECO Energy; Garrison Printing Co.; Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.; Associated Medical; Castle Dealerships; Mark and Jayne Chilutti; Dan and Caren Jones & family; Alison Mann; Selfcare Mediquip Inc.; Superior Products Inc.; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; and Carol Ann Vinci.