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Cpl John R Stalvey Celebrity Basketball Game

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
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Various former college and professional stars are scheduled to participate, including Greg Jones, Jeremy Mincey and Ben Troupe.

Brunswick -- The first-ever "Cpl. John R. Stalvey Celebrity Basketball Game" to benefit Warrior's Weekend will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at 7pm at the College of Coastal Georgia. All proceeds from the event will go towards a complementary weekend in July for rehabilitating soldiers, and their families, on Jekyll Island. Last year's event hosted over 750 people. The 2012 Warrior’s Weekend is anticipating hosting about 1200 Wounded Warriors along with their family members and support staff.

Stalvey, a southeast Georgia-native, was killed in service in Iraq on October 3rd, 2005. He was taking part in "Operation Iron Fist" when his humvee was struck by an IED. He was only 22 years old. For more information on John, click here .

"From the time that John was very young he had three loves in his life: God, country and sports. He played sports all of his life, whole-heartedly and full of focus. When he joined the Marine Corps after the 9/11 attacks he had the same dedication to courage, honor and commitment," explained John's mother Crystal Merillat. "John would be so proud and honored that this game to benefit our wounded warriors has been named after him."

Various former college and professional stars are scheduled to participate, including Jacksonville Jaguars Greg Jones and Jeremy Mincey. Local star Frankie King, who played for the Mariners under head coach Gerald Cox, will make a return visit. King played at Brunswick College from 1991-1993 and is the only former Mariner to play in the NBA. After moving on to Western Carolina and twice earning Southern Conference Player of the Year honors, he was selected 37th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1995 NBA Draft.

The celebrity team will face a mixed squad of the College of Coastal Georgia's men's and women's teams. A simple donation gets you in the door. Funds will be collected by an American Legion Post 9 representative. There will be an athlete "Meet and Greet" after the game. Concessions will be available at Howard Coffin Gym. Georgia State Representative, the Honorable Alex Atwood, will be among the many special guests on hand.

"We are very thankful that the College of Coastal Georgia is hosting this event and are quite appreciative of our athletes for taking time to participate," explained organizer B.J. Bennett, host of "The Drive" on The Fan Sports Radio. "Our soldiers give so much for our freedom and some, like John, give the ultimate sacrifice. This is a fun way to honor those heroes. This should be a great event for our community, hopefully for years to come."

BJ Bennett - Bennett developed the Southern Pigskin concept as a teenager. He has worked for over a decade in sports journalism, writing for major newspapers and hosting a radio show for The Fan Sports Radio 103.7, ESPN Radio Coastal Georgia. Bennett has been published in newspapers, magazines, journals and websites all across the southeast. Down Here, Bennett's original book on southern college football, is currently in the process of being published.