Guess who’s back!

NFL Hall-of-Famer Darrell Green returns to host the second annual UMW Athletics Gala presented by Sodexo Dining Services.

Spend a star-studded evening with Green, plus fellow Redskins heavyweights, running back Alfred Morris and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. Bid on awesome auction items like autographed Redskins memorabilia, tickets to professional sporting events, vacation getaway packages, and more.

Snag a table near special guests Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley, UMW Athletics Director Ken Tyler, and other VIPs.

The cocktail-attire event – with a social hour, dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles, and entertainment – showcases UMW’s athletics department and more than 450 student-athletes, who split their passion between the playing fields and giving back to the Fredericksburg area.

“Our teams do some amazing work in the community and constantly look for ways to make an impact in the lives of youth and children,” said Director of Athletic Development and Promotions Philip Pierce. “They represent UMW and this community every day, and they do it purely for the love of their sport and this campus.”

Last year’s lavish event, featuring Green, plus Redskins DeAngelo Hall netted more than $45,000. The funds go to strengthen recruitment, facilities, and support for UMW’s talented student-athletes, whose Division III status makes them ineligible for athletic scholarships.

Green, who became a UMW special assistant for student-athlete development and public relations in 2013, is one of the NFL’s greatest defensive backs, fastest players, and most pervasive record-setters. A father of four, he formed the faith-based charity Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation in 1988.

Despite being partially deaf, Kerrigan achieved a cumulative total of 38 career sacks by the end of the 2014 season, becoming the Redskins’ sixth all-time franchise sack leader. Morris, who has six brothers and still drives a ’91 Mazda, became the fourth running back in the Redskins’ franchise history to achieve at least three 1,000-yard seasons.

Three lucky $10 raffle winners will get to pose for a picture with the powerhouse trio and score a football autographed by them. New this year is a $25 “Stock your Cellar Raffle” which will see one lucky winner going home with a wonderful selection of 25 white and red bottles of wine.

Make your game plan now to be part of this “elegant evening for a meaningful mission,” and help the Eagles soar.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit http://umweagles.com/athletic_dept/gala15, or contact Pierce at (540) 654-1153 or ppierce@umw.edu.