“It’s been tremendous -- more than I anticipated,” WTC athletic director Dave Hanes said.
Hanes contacted every team in the National Football League and provided information to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, about the event and the school has received some unexpected prizes as a result.
“I called all the teams and let them know what was going on,” Hanes said, adding that the Hall of Fame sent out a copy of the WTC information fax to every member of the Hall, and Baugh has already received two birthday cards, one from Roger Staubach.
Hanes said the Buffalo Bills contributed $5,000 to the athletic department, and the Minnesota Vikings sent a check for $1,000.
“Memorabilia has been coming in from the other clubs,” Hanes said.
Bob O’Day, who helped organize the event, said one such piece of memorabilia is a football signed by every living member of the Washington Redskins who is in the Hall of Fame.
Others include a basketball signed by the Dallas Mavericks and a football from the New York Jets. The New Orleans Saints, Gre has signed some pieces, as well.
Along with Guy, other scheduled speakers include E.J. Holub, Spike Dykes, John David Crow, Don Maynard, Donny Anderson and Grant Teaff.
Other sports legends expected to attend include Darrell Royal, Sonny, Koy and Ty Detmer, Walt Garrison, Bobby Joe Conrad, Dave McGinnis and Billy Kilmer.
Hanes said between 150 and 175 tickets have been sold.
“We’ve had more response from outside Snyder than we have from Snyder,” O’Day said. “There are still plenty of spots left.”
The event has drawn great interest from the Baugh family, with 31 members of Baugh’s family scheduled to attend.
The birthday bash will include a golf tournament for celebrities and corporate sponsors and a silent memorabilia auction at Scurry County Coliseum from 2-5 p.m.
A VIP reception for sponsors and celebrities is scheduled to be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Snyder Country Club, with the banquet from 7-9 p.m. at the coliseum.