June 5, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze is among 12 celebrities participating in the FedEx St. Jude Classic’s Championship Pro-Am Wednesday at TPC Southwind.

“This is St. Jude’s 50th anniversary and as a thank you for our support, our partners at St. Jude came to us last fall and volunteered to use their considerable influence to beef up our pro-am,” said FESJC general chairman Jack Sammons. “Of course, we said “yes”.”

Celebrities joining Freeze include NBA legends Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, Penny Hardaway, Rick Barry and Greg Anthony; former NFL star and current Turner Sports broadcaster Joe Theismann; CBS Sports broadcaster Tim Brando; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould; former NFL and Tennessee standout Carl Pickens; syndicated columnist Roland S. Martin and Memphis Tigers football coach Justin Fuente.

“Adding celebrities on Wednesday is just one of many ways we are improving the tournament experience, “Sammons said. “We have spent considerable resources to make the tournament more attractive to a younger audience.”

A purse of $5.6 million will be at stake during the 55th FedEx St. Jude Classic, which runs through Sunday at TPC Southwind.