RiverKings and Xplorers to play in tournament benefiting Autism Program

Published on May 10, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—Memphis RiverKings and Xplorers players will participate in the fourth annual golf tournament to benefit DeSoto County Schools' Autism Early Intervention Program on Thursday, May 13 at The Club at North Creek.

‘Kings team captain Don Parsons, head coach Mark Richards, team governor Kevin Ryan and Xplorers players Jake Knott and Brian Jones will join teams from throughout the community for golfing fun beginning with complimentary lunch on the course. The scramble-format tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m., topped off with complimentary dinner at Hunter Brown's Sports Bar & Café that evening.

Other celebrities include cast members of the TV reality show "Big Brother 3," former Patriots, Colts and Broncos player Stanley Morgan and former North American Soccer League Dallas Tornados player Kyle Rote, Jr., who currently serves as CEO of Memphis-based major-league sports agency Athletic Resource Management.

For Wayne Bartley, Johnny Coleman Builders partner and tournament chairperson, the tournament has special significance. His son Justin, 8, is autistic and participates in the county's Autism Early Intervention Program at DeSoto Central Elementary School.

"Autism is a spectrum disease, meaning there are different levels of severity, with children at both ends of the spectrum," Bartley said. "If you've ever been around autistic children, you know that each one is unique. They're like snowflakes.

"But that can be very frustrating for many parents, because what works for one child may not work for your child. There's no magic cure or pill or therapy. You have to tailor each child's treatment and learning program to that particular child. And that can get expensive."

Autism is a neurological disorder, the third most common developmental disorder in today's society. It is most noticeable in verbal and non-verbal communication, which is made with difficulty, and in independent play. Children often have a hard time interacting with other children and adults.

The DeSoto County program serves more than 80 children with autism spectrum disorders, an amount that is rapidly increasing due to better diagnostic evaluations and a growing school system fueled by an average of seven families relocating to the DeSoto County area each day.

All the money from the tournament goes directly to the program. The money is used to hire teachers' aides, bring in speakers and send teachers to training, so they can have the most up-to-date information and intervention therapies at their disposal.

In addition, all donations are completely tax-deductible, thanks to cooperation with the DeSoto Economic Council's Foundation for Excellence in Education. Bartley said teams are comprised of a wide range of people, from local banks and businesses to restaurants and individuals.

"As a parent, all you can really ask for is someone to love and care about your children," Bartley said. "If someone really cares about them, everything else will fall into place. The teachers have given a lot of themselves, and if they want to have the tools to give these children the best they can, then we want to spend the money to do it."

Openings are still available for teams and donations. For more information, call Bartley at 901-550-1351.

· What: Celebrity golf tournament, including players from the Memphis RiverKings

· For: Benefiting DeSoto County Autism Early Intervention Program

· When: Thursday, May 13 at 1 p.m.

· Where: North Creek Golf Course

· How to get more information: Call Wayne Bartley at 901-550-1351.

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