2011 NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic to be twice as big

Twice as big as what, we do not know.

One of the premier annual events leading up to the Super Bowl, the NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic will be twice as big in 2011. For the first time in its six-year history, the Classic will be extended to a two-day event as the Super Bowl comes to the DFW region, the "Bowling Capital of the World." In addition to serving as the host city of Super Bowl XLV, to be played at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington is home to the International Bowling Campus which houses the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame and the International Training and Research Center. Dual sport Hall of Famer – football and bowling – Lynn Swann returns for his fifth year as host of the Classic, this year doing double duty with appearances at both events: 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2 at 300 Dallas in Addison, and 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 3 at the Main Event in Fort Worth.

"They say that everything is bigger in Texas, so it's only appropriate that we extend the NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic into a two-day bowling extravaganza in Dallas-Fort Worth, the bowling capital of the world," said Swann. "Unlike the actual Super Bowl, if you don't play well in the Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic, you get a second chance in our two-day event."

Added Swann, "The Classic has become a true Super Bowl tradition and its enduring popularity is a credit to the fun and camaraderie that you'll only find when you go bowling as well as the tremendous fundraising power of bowling events. Once again, all proceeds from these events will benefit the NFL Charities, a wonderful cause that enables the NFL to leave a positive mark in communities across the nation."

Prior to the Classic, the NFL greats will team with professional bowlers to lead a private bowling clinic for local at-risk Arlington area elementary school children on Wednesday, February 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the International Training & Research Center (private clinic will be open to the media only).

"We couldn't be more excited to bring the Super Bowl and the NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic to our home, the bowling capital of the world. With more than 71 million people taking to the lanes, it has been a banner year for the bowling industry – and it is only fitting for the biggest Classic ever to be hosted less than one mile away from the International Bowling Campus," said Frank DeSocio of Strike Ten Entertainment. "We are also absolutely thrilled to have Lynn Swann work 'double duty' as host of both Classic events and to provide the fans with two chances to bowl side-by-side with some of the greatest NFL stars in the history of the game, and all in the name of a great cause."

Legendary NFL stars and Pro Football Hall of Fame members confirmed to participate in the Classic include (subject to change): Hank Bauer, Marlin Briscoe, Keith Byars, Randy Cross, Preston Pearson, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Jerry Kramer, John Randle, Parnell Dickinson, Marv Fleming, Charles Haley, Rodney Hampton, Reggie Haynes, Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, Ted Hendricks, Lamonte Hunley, Ricky Hunley, Roy Jefferson, Brian Kelley, Kent Kramer, Sean Landeta, Tom Mack, Chuck Foreman, Joey Browner, Randall McDaniel, Curtis McGriff, Chuck Mercein, Michael Merriweather, Bobby Mitchell, Tom Nowatzke, Lance Smith, Jan Stenerud, Jimmy Taylor, Roger Wehrli, Fred Williamson and Garo Yepremian.

"The popularity of the NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic has continued to grow each year and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to duplicate the event in both Dallas and Fort Worth in 2011," said NFL Charities Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi. "Once again we have a tremendous line-up of former NFL greats participating in the event, providing a once in a lifetime chance for both football and bowling fans to mingle with their favorite players while enjoying a few games of bowling, America's most participated sport."

The NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic is open to the public. Entry fees are a donation to NFL Charities of $300 per individual and $500 per bowling couple. All proceeds will benefit NFL Charities. Each bowler will receive a commemorative Super Bowl XLV bowling ball and pin, along with a gift bag of official Super Bowl merchandise from event sponsors. Interested parties should contact Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi at 201-489-0049 or n.nicolosi@verizon.net.

Source: Strike Ten Entertainment