By Bobby Allen

SDN Sports Editor

Western Texas College will host a birthday bash for gridiron legend Sammy Baugh next month, with a list of sports celebrities and a memorabilia auction on tap.

The “Sammy Baugh: Celebration of a Living Legend” is scheduled for March 20, and will commemorate Baugh’s 90th birthday.

The event, in addition to hailing one of the most revered players in NFL history, will raise funds for the WTC athletic department.

“This is not just a celebration of Sammy Baugh, but a celebration of what he is willing to do for WTC,” said Dr. Greg Williams, WTC president.

The idea for the birthday party is the brainchild of Bob O’Day, who has been collaborating with the school for roughly two years, according to Williams.

O’Day, a former WTC athletic director, said Baugh is interested specifically because the money raised would go for more educational opportunities for high school graduates.

“The celebration is a joint effort -- besides celebrating Sammy, it will help the kids,” O’Day said.

“Now it’s gained a life of it’s own,” WTC athletic director Dave Hanes said.

The event will feature speeches from several former players and friends of Baugh, including Don Maynard, E.J. Holub, Walt Garrison and Spike Dykes.

Former Texas head coach Darrell Royal will attend but will not speak.

Hanes said the list of celebrities is expected to grow as the event gets closer.

Several players will donate memorabilia to be sold at a silent auction between 2-5 p.m. at Scurry County Coliseum. Some memorabilia also will be sold at WTC.

A VIP reception will be held from 4-6 p.m., and a banquet is scheduled for 7 that night at the Coliseum.

Tickets to the banquet are $50, $75 and $100. Corporate sponsors can purchase a package for $5,000 for a table of six -- five from the sponsor and one celebrity. The price also includes admittance to the VIP reception and the name of the purchaser will go in the program as a corporate sponsor.

The money will go to the WTC athletic department, with some funds going to the Scurry County Boys and Girls Club.

Dinner will be West Texas fare, including barbecue, and dress is casual.

In addition to the reception, auction and banquet, the campus golf course will be closed to the public during the celebration.

Williams said a proposal would be submitted to the board of trustees this month to rename the golf course after Baugh.

Williams said he expects this to be a national event, given the personality of the guest of honor.

“He’s one of a kind,” Williams said of Baugh.

O’Day concurred. “This could be the biggest event Snyder’s ever had.”

Tickets go on sale Monday, with 500 tickets available. Advance sales end March 12. Ticket information can be obtained through the college’s special events office at 573-8511, ext. 220 or 240.