August 4, 2005

Starry, starry night

Family, friends celebrate Pat Tillman’s life, bring home his legacy

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

When the lights roared to life along 11 tennis courts Saturday night at Almaden Valley Athletic Club, nearly 700 old friends, new friends, and family members gathered courtside to celebrate the life and newly formed legacy of Pat Tillman.

In a somber moment, friends and family gathered to remember one of their own on the courts of the Almaden Valley Athletic Club for a “Celebration Under the Stars” to benefit for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Photo by Kymberli Brady

Unlike the traditional game, set, and match sought by hopeful tennis stars, this was all about celebrating the life of the former Leland High School football star and graduate who snubbed a $3.6 million NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers and battle terrorism with his brother Kevin, only to have his promising young life cut short on April 22, 2004 in Afghanistan.

As the thoughts and contributions of a nation poured in, Tillman’s wife Marie, along with Pat’s brother Kevin and Pat’s brother-in-law Alex Garwood decided to start the Pat Tillman Foundation in an effort to create a legacy that would represent the leadership qualities that she said came so easy to him.

On the contrary, the Celebration Under the Stars was about what Tillman loved most, good friends, a little reminiscing, and the familiar classic rock tunes many remembered from his wedding—thanks to good food, cold beer, and an encore performance by the Joe Sharino Band.

“It’s always hard to talk about Pat,” said Garwood. “Normally I’m used to talking to people who didn’t know him. The challenge here was that everyone knew him. It was an interesting dichotomy.”

For Garwood, it’s not as much about the speech as it is keeping Tillman’s spirit alive and meaningful.

“We wanted everyone to come out, celebrate his life, have a good time and raise a little money for the Foundation,” Garwood said. “He’s a national hero, but he’s also a hometown, Bay Area kid. I think if he were to come back and see what we’re doing, I believe he’d go, ’It’s about right. You guys are stepping up and doing the right thing.”

He then thanked Advisory Board member Allen Wadsworth and the Wadsworth Group for stepping up and sponsoring the evening. Wadsworth, he said was a symbol of the foundation mantra, “the company you keep is a reflection of you.”

Soon, the reminiscing gave way to dancing as the night wore on. Photo by Kymberli Brady

“I never met Pat,” admitted Wadsworth. “I wish I had. Other than being a phenomenal human being, I’ve learned that Pat inspired those around him to go out and go after the things that they believe in with passion and intensity. I believe this is exactly what Alex is doing with the foundation. He is absolutely in my opinion carrying forward Pat’s legacy by inspiring everyone around him to act and I am proud to be a volunteer for the Pat Tillman Foundation.”

Members of the Leland High School football team volunteered to help transform the courts and pool area into a festive display of pizza, pasta, sandwiches, seafood, beer, and wine, compliments of several local restaurants and merchants, while special guest, singer Allison Sharino, embodied the Sharino legacy, started by her father.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said, proudly, before following with classic renditions from the B52s, Lynard Skynard, the Beatles, and others.

Indeed, The Pat Tillman Foundation seeks to carry forward his legacy by shepherding future leaders through critical-thinking skills designed to encourage positive change in themselves and the world around them.

The program, already in place at Arizona State University, is set for its inaugural launch in September, with 14 “Tillman Scholars.” Saturday’s event however, was a successful attempt to bring his legacy closer to home by raising $35,000, $15,000 over expectations. After expenses are met, AVAC owner Joe Shank expects to hand over $20,000 in seed money for a similar program in the Bay Area.

Standing along the sidelines watching hundreds of guests tear it up on courts turned dance floor, AVAC owner Joe Shank was pleased to find everyone having a good time.

“There’s a lot of good word being spread about the Tillman Foundation,” he said. “A lot of people are saying this inaugural should lead to a second event, which we’re talking about doing next year.”

It will be a busy year for Shank, who says plans are already in place to host a large celebration for the AVAC membership, in honor of the club’s 30th anniversary in June of 2006.

The Joe Sharino Band kept most of the attendees on their feet with classic rock tunes ranging from the Beatles to the B52s. Photo by Kymberli Brady

He then praised the community for contributing to the successful event.

“They’ve really stepped up,” he said. “The vendors have provided servings for 200-300 people each, and the silent auction items, including an AVAC family membership, two tickets to the Grand Prix, and tickets to an A’s game are going nicely. The important thing though, is when Alex got up and spoke, 700 people got to hear about what they’re doing. That touched a lot of people and the word is getting out.”

Although committed to the event, Shank admitted that the offer came with conditions. “When we decided to do this, I said I would only do it if this money starts the seeding for our own area,” he said. “Pat was a local boy, who worked out here and swam in our pool. If we were going to get behind this, I wanted the funds to stay local.”

Visibly touched by the outpouring of support, Pat’s mother Mary Tillman said she was honored to see so many good friends from over the years honoring her son’s memory, including students she taught years ago, who had and offered to help volunteer.

“It’s really an honor,” she said. “Pat would be honored that people were coming out to help the foundation. This is something that will help build your confidence and make you feel good about yourself—which in turn allows you to help other people. If you’re stuck and you’re not pleased with who you are, you’re not able to give back. We certainly do appreciate it.”

For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation, visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org.