2nd annual Celebrity Shootout - Saturday, Jan. 17

12/03/08 6:50 PM EST
Celebs joining Granderson for charity
Hoops event to continue work to support inner-city schools

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Before Curtis Granderson became a Major League star on the baseball diamonds, he grew up as a talented basketball player in Chicago. Once again, he'll spend a night hitting the courts with his friends for charity. The Tigers outfielder and his Grand Kids Foundation will host their second annual Celebrity Shootout on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Lake Orion High School north of Detroit.

The game, which will pair up former Detroit-area athletes with local and national celebrities, will cap a weekend of events to help raise money for Granderson's foundation, which helps provide supplies and funds to schools in Michigan to help foster the learning experience for thousands of children and encourage interest in creative activities.

"Now more than ever, Michigan's public schools need assistance," Granderson said. "The goal of this year's event is to raise funds to help the individual students in these public schools, whether it's for assistance with school supplies or college scholarships. Last year, I was so proud of the way the community not only came out to support this event, but to support the inner-city schools in Michigan. The players had fun, the fans had fun and the schools benefited. This year's event promises to be bigger and better."

This year's weekend starts with an evening of food and comedy one night before the tipoff. Fans can join Granderson for a buffet dinner provided by Andiamo Novi at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a performance at the Second City improv theater at 8 p.m. A VIP afterglow event at Dirty Martini will follow.
Granderson will again serve as a coach in the game the next day, joined by former University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr and WNBA Detroit Shock forward Sheryl Ford. Granderson's current roster of players includes a heavy local emphasis and a more diverse selection of standouts.

Former Detroit Lions All-Pro players Herman Moore and Lomas Brown will join former Michigan football and NFL standout Tyrone Wheatley and former Super Bowl MVP and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard among the football stars taking to the hardwood.

From a hoops standpoint, the game could feature some dunking acrobatics, courtesy of And1 Mixtape Tour star "Springs," known off the court as Jamal Nelson. UFC star "Sugar" Rashad Evans and professional boxing super-middleweight Andre Dirrell are among the athletes returning from last year's event.

Unlike last year, however, the upcoming event will have an equal presence from female players. Kirsten Haglund, who sprung to fame from the Detroit area when she won the 2008 Miss America pageant, has also committed to take part, as have ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson and 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year Sara Jean Underwood. Joe Faris, who took part in Bravo television's Project Runway, will also join those from the entertainment arena taking part in the event.

More athletes and personalities are expected to commit as the event nears.

"This is an amazing group of early commitments for this game -- both players and coaches," Granderson said. "We not only have a lot of great athletes, but we have a lot of great personalities, which will make this a fun atmosphere for not only those of us involved in the game, but the fans that will be coming out."

Tickets to the game are $20 for adults and $15 for students with a student ID, including collegians. A VIP ticket for $60 includes access to the afterparty. Each ticket at any level will be put into a raffle for prizes such as a private batting practice with Granderson, Tigers tickets and gift certificates to local businesses.

Tickets for the dinner and comedy show run at $75 per person, or $110 with access to the afterglow party. Those who wish to attend all the events can buy an all-access pass for $150.

Advance tickets for each event at various levels are available on the Grand Kids Foundation Web site at www.grandkidsfoundation.org or at www.curtisgranderson.com.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Aww cool. I'll have to go again this year.