The Boys & Girls Clubs Of America have released the following to WrestleZone:
SAN DIEGO, April 27, 2018 — Boys & Girls Clubs of America will induct nine new Club alumni into their Alumni Hall of Fame during a ceremony next week in San Diego, California. For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs around the country have provided kids and teens of all backgrounds, the opportunity to achieve great futures. To celebrate the accomplishments of former Boys & Girls Club members, the organization annually recognizes distinguished alumni, including these nine inductees who have excelled to the top of their respective fields.
The ceremony will be hosted by Emmy and Tony-award winning actor and Club alum Courtney B. Vance, and will honor alumni who have gone on from their Boys & Girls Club to make major contributions in their professions, from sports to entertainment to the military and more. Each of these leaders has followed a unique path, yet they all share a similar beginning – with the life-changing programs, caring staff and the fun, safe environment of a Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Hall of Fame “Class of 2018” inductees include: Emmy-award winning journalist, Ed Arnold; Department of Defense, Senior Program Analyst for Community and Family Policy, Candace Bird, Ph. D; Orlando Magic Executive, Becky Bonner; two time NBA Champion, Matt Bonner; NFL Hall of Famer, Terrell Davis; global multi-platinum recording artist, Jason Derulo; 12-time World Champion, Hulk Hogan; U.S. Army Lieutenant General Leslie C. Smith; and Olympic gold medalist snowboarder, Shaun White.
“It is an incredible honor to recognize Boys & Girls Club alumni who are leaders in their industries and have made a difference in the lives of so many,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This new class will serve as impressive role models for the next generation of Club kids and teens, inspiring the nearly 4 million youth in our Clubs that they can dream big and achieve their goals.”
Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni & Friends estimates there are nearly 16 million living Boys & Girls Club alumni today.
Terry Bollea would ride his bike five miles every day to attend the Interbay Club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, where he loved to play baseball. He remembers touring the Club with his mom and dad, and being immediately impressed by its library and swimming pool. When he learned to swim and dive from the Club’s 10-foot diving board, Terry knew he could achieve anything in life. Terry, of course, became Hulk Hogan, a 12-time World Champion and key figure in WWE’s rise from regional attraction to worldwide entertainment powerhouse. The Hulkster’s undeniable charisma set the standard for future WWE Superstars. The larger-than-life icon went on to star in movies, television shows and his own animated series, and he became an idol to a vast legion of fans known as “Hulkamaniacs.”
For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni & Friends go to www.bgca.org/alumni
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Karl (Mailman) Malone looks on during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Karl (Mailman) Malone (right) takes on Hollywood Hogan during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
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Karl Malone
18 Jun 1998: Karl Malone on the (R) of the Utah Jazz with Diamond Dallas Page (L) of the WCW pose for a picture during a press confrence at Planet Hollywood Beverly Hills, California. Malone and DDP will team up to wrestle Rodman and Hogan at the WCW Bash
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Karl (Mailman) Malone (right) takes on Hollywood Hogan during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Dennis (Rodzilla) Rodman and Hollywood Hogan (left) team up against Karl (Mailman) Malone (center) during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
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Karl Malone
SP.Wrestling.1.0618.GFBasketball players Dennis Rodman (middle) and Karl Malone (right) will square off in the ring as World Championship Wrestling (WCW) & New World Order present "Bash at the Beach" live on a payperview event July 12 from San Diego. Rodman will tag team with "Hollywood" Hogan (left) and Malone will team with Diamond Dallas Page (whose hand is on Malone's shoulder)LAT/^^^ Photo/Art by:ly Skalij (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Hollywood Hogan (left) in action against Karl (Mailman) Malone during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Scott Paymer /Allsport
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Karl Malone
12 Jun 1998: Hollywood Hogan (left) in action against Karl (Mailman) Malone during the WCW Bash at the Beach at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
