ROCHESTER HILLS – Join us for the Detroit Lions Celebrity Bocce Ball Tournament on Wednesday May 17, 2006. This fundraising event is being held in joint association between the Detroit Lions and the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame and is presented by Foresters. Proceeds will go to the Detroit Lions Charities to benefit the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame as well as other Michigan charities.

"The Detroit Lions have successfully hosted a similar event for the past two years. When they heard that the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame was planning to stage a bocce fundraiser, they contacted us and suggested working together," said A.J. Filippis, Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame president. "The Lions have been very generous in extending this invitation. We also recognize that by working together, we have the potential to create an event that will be more successful than either organization could have accomplished alone."

This year's tournament will be led by honorary chairmen Tony Battaglia, owner of Palazzo di Bocce; Tony Filippis, Founder of Wright & Filippis and Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame; Hoot McInerney, Detroit-area car dealer and philanthropist; and Mike Utley, former Detroit Lions offensive guard and founder of the Mike Utley Foundation.

Members of Detroit football, baseball and hockey teams will be in attendance and serve as honorary captains.

The Detroit Lions Celebrity Bocce Ball Tournament is open to the public and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. The event will be held on May 17, from 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township, Michigan. Sponsorships are available for the tournament, as well as individual tickets. To purchase sponsorships or tickets, contact Detroit Lions Community Affairs at (313) 216-4171.

The Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame's mission is to honor Michigan's athletes with disabilities who have demonstrated achievement in sports and who are positive role models in the community, as well as to educate the public about sports for the disabled. The Hall of Fame also strives to provide support for sports and recreation programs for disabled individuals.