The 2007 Peyback Bowl raised more than $400,000 for the charitable foundation established by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
Celebrities and sponsors who shelled out big bucks to bowl at Tuesday's fundraiser filled 55 lanes at the Woodland Bowling Center on East 96th Street. Even the Lombardi Trophy made an appearance, garnering more security than any of the celebrities who showed up.
ESPN's Mike Golic and Reebok vice president Eddie White did some carb loading at Iaria's Restaurant on South College Avenue before making the drive north.
One of White's bowling lane teammates, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, was in a tight race for top celebrity bowler of the day, but Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne took the top honors in that category, according to Peyback Bowl coordinator Melanie Heaviland.
Colts President Bill Polian competed on the Lucas Oil Team, a group that included Charlotte Lucas, Morgan Lucas and Kelli Gunn. They came in third place overall, and one of their prizes was a Manning-autographed football for each of them -- like this group can't get those any day of the week.
Portland Trail Blazers rookie Greg Oden didn't even get a chance to eat (Ruth's Chris Steak House supplied the food) because he had to keep putting his plate down to pose for photos with fans and sign autographs. Greg Oden conceded he's not much of a bowler; his fingers are too big to fit in the bowling ball holes.
Manning's wife, Ashley, and her friends didn't wear the tournament's traditional shirt. Her team wore short-sleeved Colts blue T-shirts sporting the image of a football and the name "Team Smash." Auction bidding was lively. Even Heaviland was surprised when a Super Bowl package that included a framed photo and football signed by Manning and Colts coach Tony Dungy (plus a photo taken with the Lombardi trophy) went for $19,000.
The inaugural Peyback Bowl in 2003 raised more than $100,000 and has grown steadily, reaping more than $350,000 last year.
Money goes to the Peyback Foundation, which focuses on helping disadvantaged children in Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana. It has donated more than $2 million since it started in 1999.
Share your story for posterity
A few local notables already have been signed up for StoryCorps, which arrives at the Indiana History Center on Aug. 30. David Letterman's mother, Dorothy Mengering, and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have agreed to participate. About 30 slots have been added for Hoosiers who want to share their own stories.
National Public Radio listeners are familiar with StoryCorps, whose purpose is to document everyday history. It's modeled on oral history interviews from the 1930s recorded by the Works Progress Administration, according to WFYI spokeswoman Lori Plummer. About 10,000 interviews have been collected since the program started in 2003.
If your looking to purchase the best NBA Basketball Tickets we would like to suggest Barrys Tickets Service. They sell all Basketball Tickets to all NBA Games including Lakers Basketball Tickets, LA Clippers Tickets as well as Bobcats Tickets. The offer a 200% guarantee on all NBA All Star Game tickets as well as all other tickets they sell. Barrys Tickets Service has been in business since 1985 and has offices nationwide. When you think NBA Basketball Tickets think Barrys tickets.
