Philadelphia (March 2003) - Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s third annual Night of Champions will take place on Friday evening, May 9, at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall/Penn’s Landing Caterers, 1301 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia.

Sports celebrities, media personalities and area notables will be at the fund-raiser to salute Magee’s wheelchair athletes and help assure the continued success of Magee’s wheelchair sports programs. Former Philadelphia 76ers star and NBA hall-of-famer Billy Cunningham, and WPVI TV-6 anchor Scott Palmer are honorary co-chairs of the event. Others who have already made plans to attend include:

Philadelphia Flyers legends Bernie Parent, Ed Van Impe and Joe Watson
Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brad Childress, and former Eagles Tom Brookshier, Joe Pisarcik and Vince Papale
From the world of women’s gymnastics, Janet Papale
Lorrie Fair, of the World Cup Championship USA Soccer Team, now starring with the Philadelphia Charge
From the world of boxing, Ivan “Mighty” Robinson
From Penn State, former Magee patient Adam Taliaferro
Beasley Reece, KYW TV-3 sports director
Bill Vargus, WTXF TV-29 sports anchor
Jack Lutz, PGA Philadelphia Section Head, and
Former Pennsylvania Governor, Mark Schweiker, now President of the Greater Philadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce

The star-studded event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a VIP wine-tasting reception hosted by Chaddsford Winery. The event also includes dinner, raffle prizes and auctions of autographed sports treasures, exclusive gifts, restaurant certificates, getaway weekends and travel packages.
Over the past two years, the Night of Champions has raised more than $175,000 for Magee’s wheelchair sports programs. Magee, the region’s leading sponsor of recreational and competitive wheelchair sports, sponsors teams in wheelchair basketball, softball, rugby and tennis, and offers martial arts training for wheelchair users. Magee’s athletes compete in many major tournaments as well as the Paralympics at the Summer Olympic Games.

Wheelchair sports are an important part of Magee’s comprehensive therapy programs, allowing participants to compete against physical equals while improving their overall health, fitness and quality of life.

Individual tickets for the event are $110, and there are a number of sponsorship opportunities offering group plans. To order tickets, to donate auction items, or for more information about sponsorship plans, call Magee Rehabilitation at (215) 587-3090.