Chattanooga Has Fun 2.5

Gary Haskew, perhaps as well known by his surname Mr. Basketball, will be the subject of a roast March 16th at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center.

Haskew is the popular host of the show Sports Talk on WGOW, 102.3 FM. He has served as host from the inception of the show, now in its 20^th year.

Proceeds from the roast will go to benefit the Classic 150 Club, a not-for-profit organization that donates funds to high-profile sports events which bring regional or national notoriety to Chattanooga. The Classic 150 Club is a principal partner of the Nationwide Tour’s Chattanooga Classic, the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship and the Tennessee Valley Open Championship for tennis.

It has also been a principal sponsor over the years for the NCAA Men’s Golf Tournament, NCAA Women’s Regional Basketball Tournament, the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Spring Fling, the SEC Women’s Softball Tournament, the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament and the National Junior Golden Gloves.

“It’s my pleasure to be able to help a club that has meant so much to so many people in the sports arena,” said Mr. Haskew. “I’ve given my roasters a lot of ammunition for something like this. I’m sure a good time will be had by all.”

Roasters will include Frank Burke, Scott McMahan, Dewey “Swamp Rat” Warren, and Kenny Smith. Burke is president and owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts. McMahan, “Quake“on the Sports Talk show, has been Haskew’s partner for those 20 years. Warren is a former University of Tennessee quarterback and coach, as well as a talk show host. Smith is chairman of the Hamilton County School Board.

Other roasters will be confirmed in the near future.

“Chattanooga is most fortunate to have a club like the Classic 150 that financially supports so many outstanding sports events,” said Chattanooga Classic tournament director and Classic 150 vice-chair Mickey McCamish. “What better sports figure to roast than the No. 1 sports talk announcer in Chattanooga, Dr. Basketball, or maybe we should say Dr. Know-It-All because he’s got an opinion about and knowledge of all sports.”

Tickets for the event will go sale immediately through Friends of the Festival.

Tables, which include seating for eight, may be purchased for $800. Individual seating may also be purchased for $125.

Sponsorships, which include table seating, may be purchased for $1,000-$5,000. In addition to the tables, there will be individual seating in bleachers for $25. That includes a hot dog and soft drink.

For more information, call 423-756-2211