EVERYONE'S A WINNER AT BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Davenport, IA - February 17, 2012 - Former St. Louis Cardinal Rick Horton will be the speaker at Breakfast of Champions, an event that celebrates perseverance and teamwork.  Horton, a former MLB pitcher who now broadcasts for the team, will entertain and inspire while recounting the remarkable determination and drive that led to the Cardinals' 2011 World Series win.  The family oriented event will take place on Saturday, February 25, from 9:00am - 11:30am on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park.  The program will also showcase local high school champions and offer a full brunch buffet, silent auction and activities for children.  Tickets are $40 for adults/ $10 for children under 12 and can be purchased at the Adler Theatre box office at 136 East Third Street, Davenport or online at www.goldroomlegacy.org.  Same day sales will be $45/adults and $10 per child at the door.  The event is sponsored by the Riverboat Development Authority with additional funding from the Quad Cities River Bandits and the City of Davenport.  A portion of the proceeds will be shared by Project Renewal, the Boys and Girls Club and Gold Room Legacy Project.

Jim Albracht will be Master of Ceremonies for the event.  "The drive of the 2011 Cardinals was amazing" said Albrecht.  "No team has ever won a World Series after finding itself 10½ games out of a playoff spot on the 25th of August.  No team had ever won a World Series after being one strike away from elimination in back-to-back innings of the same World Series game.  But this team overcame those obstacles and more.  And that is what this program is about - believing in yourself and reaching for your dreams.  It's going to be a lot of fun."

The event takes place at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits, Midwest Minor League Champions.  Also being honored are area high school teams that have honored the Quad Cities with their teamwork, sportsmanship and excellence: the Assumption Girls Basketball team, winners of the 3A championship; the Moline Girls softball team that holds the 4A title; Davenport North's Boys Bowling team who are the 2A champions, and the Rock Island Boys Basketball 3A State champions.

The Breakfast of Champions silent auction will include an assortment of spectacular baseball packages including season tickets to the Quad City River Bandits; use of a skybox suite with tickets for 16 for a Bandits game; a Cardinal package with hotel, dinner and game tickets for two; the chance to being Bandit of the Day; two tickets to Damn Yankees at the Adler Theatre with dinner and a nights stay at the Hotel Blackhawk, as well as Cardinals and River Bandits merchandise.  Rascal the River Bandit will be on hand to join in the fun and have pictures taken with his friends.  There will be an inflatable and a putt-putt hole set up, and coloring, activities, and some board games for the kids.

Rick Horton is a broadcaster on Cardinals telecasts, providing play-by-play commentary as well as postgame analysis. A former left-handed pitcher for the Cardinals, Rick spent seven years in the Major Leagues, playing for St. Louis, Los Angeles and the Chicago White Sox. He made his Major League debut with the Cardinals in 1984 and participated in the 1985 and 1987 World Series with the Redbirds and won the Series in 1988 while with the Dodgers.  After retiring from his Major League playing career, Horton remained in the St. Louis area where he has been active in the Greater St. Louis Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as the Director of the St. Louis FCA since 1993.

The Gold Room Legacy Project is an effort to sustain and protect the legacy of the iconic Gold Room at the Hotel Blackhawk through enriching, educational and entertaining events. In addition to preserving part of Quad City history, we prepare for the future by presenting an active and vibrant place for residents to gather, socialize and entertain.  Bringing life back to the Gold Room has added to the growing vitality of the riverfront, continues the dynamic redevelopment of downtown Davenport and contributes to the health and quality of life of the Quad Cities community.   Go to www.goldroomlegacy.org for more information.

Project Renewal provides educational and recreational activities for children during the school year and summer in a safe, loving environment.  Staff and volunteers are positive role models for the children, reinforcing values needed in order to live healthy and productive lives.  For many children, struggling with everyday issues, Project Renewal is one of the few anchors in their lives.  Project Renewal is an important organization in our community which can deeply impact the life of a child and is very rewarding personally for those who volunteer or provide financial support.   Find out more at www.projectrenewal.net.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV) provides after-school programming to more than 1,200 youth ages 6-18 annually at three Quad City area locations in Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois.  Programming in the Club focuses on five core areas:  Leadership & Character Development; Education & Career Development; the Arts; Health & Life Skills; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation.  Our mission: "To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to achieve their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens."  Learn more at www.bgcmv.org.

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