Celebrity Sports Dinner details revealed

Proceeds from this year’s Celebrity Sports Dinner will go toward the George Jeffery Children’s Centre, organizers confirmed Wednesday.

Along with the beneficiary, event organizer John Lockyer announced the celebrities scheduled to speak at the 10th annual dinner. Speakers confirmed include former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, Olympic bronze medalist and freestyle skier Deidra Dionne and TSN personality Michael Landsberg.

“It’s a great lineup,” Lockyer said Wednesday afternoon. “I still remember (McMahon attending his) first Chicago Bears public function with a beer in his hand. I’m really looking forward to meeting him and hearing what he has to say.”

McMahon joined the bears as a first-round draft pick in 1982. His many achievements as an NFL quarterback include two Super Bowl championship wins.

Saskatchewan born Dionne represents the event’s female athlete speaker. Dionne won bronze at the 2001 and 2003 FIS World Freestyle Ski Championships, and also brought Canada home a bronze medal from the 2002 Winter Olympics.

She won the bronze medal for women’s aerial ski jumping.

“Obviously with a 10 year track record and a ton of repeat people coming to the event, it’s been a lot of fun,” Lockyer said of the event’s regular success. “When you come to the event you do get an opportunity to shake hands (with the athletes), get an autograph and things like this. So, obviously people love sport celebrities and we love bringing this to the community.”

The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 16at the Valhalla Inn

Tickets cost $165 a plate and can be purchased by calling 344-1800.

In the 10 years that the sports dinner has been held, it has always been sold out.