Former NFL Coach Tony Dungy to Deliver Inaugural Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School Graduation Address

Former NFL Coach Tony Dungy to be first graduation speaker for public charter high school founded by Former Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and the Debartolo Familly in Tampa, FL. Dungy and Brooks became friends while Dungy was Bucs head coach. DeBartolo family to award 4-year scholarship to first valedictorian.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 -- Coach Tony Dungy will address BDCHS graduates, students, family members, faculty and friends during the inaugural graduation ceremony on Monday, June 1, 2009 at the University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center Ballroom, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m.

A ticketed reception follows the ceremony and requires a $5 advance payment. Please contact BDCHS at 813.971.5600 to pre-pay. Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School is located at 11602 N. 15th Street Tampa, FL 33612.

We are thankful to have Coach Dungy share his life philosophies with our graduating seniors and their families. Many of these students won't remember all of the key people that inspired them through their journey in life but I bet they will never forget having Coach Dungy as their high school graduation speaker,

This will be a great day for our first graduating class and their families

Coach Dungy's character and accomplishments set the bar for what we ultimately aspire for our students.

100% of the first year graduates have been accepted by an institution of higher learning.

Our valedictorian will receive a 4-year scholarship from the DeBartolo Family Foundation as part of their commitment to BDCHS, our community, and to students with higher education goals.

Coach Dungy comes on the heels of several other high profile individuals with roots in Tampa. NFL great and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro Running Back Warrick Dunn spoke with BDCHS students in February and Retired General Tommy Franks, former commander in chief of U.S. Central Command in Tampa visited with the students last fall. Dunn and Franks participated in the school's Distinguished Speaker Series, which is designed to expose students to professionals achieving excellence in their chosen career paths.

"This will be a great day for our first graduating class and their families," said Dr. Phildra Swagger, BDCHS Executive Director/Principal. "Coach Dungy's character and accomplishments set the bar for what we ultimately aspire for our students." Swagger added, "100% of the first year graduates have been accepted by an institution of higher learning."

The Valedictorian will attend the University of Florida while the Salutatorian will attend the University of West Florida. Other schools to which the graduates have been accepted include Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, St. Leo University, Florida A &M University, Bethune-Cookman University, Belmont Abbey College (NC), Morehouse College (GA), Prairie View A &M University (TX), Quinnipiac University (CT) and Savannah College of Art and Design (GA).

Swagger also announced, "Our valedictorian will receive a 4-year scholarship from the DeBartolo Family Foundation as part of their commitment to BDCHS, our community, and to students with higher education goals." Several other students will receive scholarships from organizations such as the Will Allen Foundation for Quest Club Participants, Dollars and Sense Scholarship for Financial Literacy Club Members, and a Belmont Abbey 4-year Athletic Scholarship (Baseball).

Coach Dungy is a former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dungy also became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl when his Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in 2007. He is the author of several books including Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life and Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance. This latest book, released in February 2009, focuses on what it means to be a man of significance in a culture that is offering young men few positive role models.

BDCHS is a high performing public charter school sponsored by the Hillsborough County School Board and offers a college preparatory curriculum for motivated students who wish to excel in high school. BDCHS is accredited by SACS-CASI and offers both Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. The mission of BDCHS is to graduate students well prepared to succeed in the nation's top universities.

BDCHS is accepting applications now for the 2009-2010 school year. To learn more about Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School visit www.bdchs.org.

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