Sloan Foundation Announces Benton, Illinois Native as Honorary Chair

Former NBA player and head coach, Doug Collins, has been named as the honorary chairperson for the second annual Bobbye and Jerry Sloan Hand-in-Hand Twilight Run and Friendship Walk. Collins is a native of Benton, Illinois, a neighboring city to Sloan's hometown of McLeansboro in rural southern Illinois.

McLeansboro, IL (PRWEB) July 2, 2006 -- The Bobbye and Jerry Sloan Hand-in-Hand Foundation is excited to announce that Benton, Illinois native, Doug Collins will serve as the Honorary Chairperson for this year’s Hand-in-Hand Twilight Run & Friendship Walk. The event will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at Dolan Lake Fish & Wildlife Area in McLeansboro.

Collins played basketball at Benton High School in the late 1960’s. He was known as one of the best college players in the country, playing at Illinois State University. He graduated from Illinois State in 1972 and was then chosen to represent the United States at the infamous 1972 Summer Olympics, in Munich, Germany.

“We are thrilled to have Doug as our Honorary Chair this year,” said Hand-in-Hand Vice President, Kathy Wood. “Doug’s career in basketball is amazing and what’s even more interesting is that it all started in southern Illinois!”

Collin’s professional basketball career lasted eight years as a player for the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a four-time nba All-Star. Collins was an nba head coach for three teams, the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards.

Currently, Collins is an nba color analyst for tnt.

For more information or to register for the 5k run or one mile walk, go to the foundation website.

The goal of the Hand-in-Hand Foundation is to assist local communities by helping both individuals and organizations with the financial support they need to help them reach their full potential. It focuses on giving to those individuals and organizations that have specific interest in one of the following areas: