PORTER-BILLUPS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Denver

News: Basketball legend Chauncey Billups, whose hoops career began at Denver’s George Washington High School, will deliver the keynote address when the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy has its annual fundraiser July 27 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.

Billups, who in August will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has played for the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, is now head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Affectionately known as Mr. Big Shot and The King of Park Hill, Billups in 2006 gave his support to a summer academy that had been founded in 1996 by former Regis University Men’s Basketball Coach Lonnie Porter and his daughter, educator Staci Porter-Bentley. With that gesture, the name was changed to the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy.

At the gala, Billups will share thoughts in a fireside chat with Scott Hastings, a sports commentator and former forward/center for the Denver Nuggets, New York Knick, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons.

Festivities begin with cocktails and silent auction bidding at 5:30 p.m. Dinner, a live auction, entertainment by Grammy-nominated R & B singer Kenny Lattimore and the fireside chat follows.

The event also is the occasion to celebrate Lonnie Porter on his transition to founder emeritus of the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy.

Tickets for the gala, and a July 29 golf tournament at Chery Creek Country Club, can be purchased by visiting porter-billups-denver.org/gala.

About the organization: The nonprofit Porter-Billups Leadership Academy is held every summer at Regis University. Its purpose is to help youngsters from low-income, inner-city families in 3rd through 12th grades build character and expand their academic skills. The curriculum includes instruction in leadership, the arts, outdoor education, financial literacy, communication and computer skills. It is considered the university’s flagship college prep program. Scholarships up to full tuition at Regis are available to PBLA graduates once they successfully complete the multi-year participation requirement and qualify for admittance.

Website: porter-billups-denver.org

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