Team Focus, the Mobile-based mentoring organization for young men without a father figure in their lives, will hold its 14th annual “A Night with Nick Saban” fundraiser on Tuesday, April 19 at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in downtown Mobile. The dinner is the nonprofit’s only annual fundraising event and has become a fixture on the local charity calendar, drawing supporters from across the Gulf Coast each spring.
As he has for every prior installment of the event, University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban will serve as the evening’s keynote speaker. Saban’s long association with Team Focus has helped the fundraiser grow into one of the region’s most anticipated charity dinners, pairing his standing in college football with the organization’s mission of mentoring at-risk young men.
Team Focus was founded by former college football coach and longtime ESPN commentator Mike Gottfried and his wife, Mickey, with the goal of surrounding boys ages 10 to 18 who lack a father figure with positive role models. The program pairs participants with mentors, including nationally recognized athletes and coaches, and offers tutoring, monthly social activities, leadership camps and scholarship opportunities built around Christian values and leadership development. Headquartered in Mobile, the organization now operates six chapters around the country and says it has reached more than 6,000 young men since it was established.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and silent auction featuring sports memorabilia and other donated items, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a question-and-answer session with Saban. Organizers note that seating is limited and encourage anyone planning to attend to secure tickets in advance.
Individual tickets are $100, and a table of 10 is available for $1,000. Sponsorships are also available for $6,000 and include a table for 10 with prime seating, an autographed full-sized Nick Saban helmet, an autographed football, the chance to submit a question for the Q&A session, an advertisement in the event program and event signage.
Those interested in purchasing tickets or learning more about sponsorship opportunities can contact the Team Focus office at (251) 635-1515 or visit teamfocususa.org.