Event promotes awareness about mental
illnesses by honoring Coach Charley Pell
MONTGOMERY – Golf enthusiasts and mental health advocates will
tee-off tomorrow at the 9th Annual Charley Pell Classic Friday, October
16, 2009, at Ol' Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa.
The tournament was established in honor of football player and collegiate
coaching great, Charley Pell, and promotes awareness about mental illness and
other services provided by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Tournament
registration and lunch starts at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start will begin at 12
p.m.
Coach Pell’s widow and
honorary tournament chair, Ward Pell, and other officials will also be on hand
for the event. There will be an awards ceremony following play. Proceeds from
the tournament will be used to further Charley Pell’s message of hope and
encouragement to people facing the challenges of a mental illness.
Coach Pell was a member of
the University of Alabama’s undefeated national championship football
team in 1961, and during his coaching legacy built three national championship
programs at Jacksonville State University,
Clemson University,
and the University
of Florida. Both the ACC
and the SEC conferences named him “Coach of the Year.” Following a brilliant
coaching career, Coach Pell progressively experienced profound depression and
eventually attempted suicide. In his recovery, he became an advocate for people
who have experienced a mental illness. He served on the Alabama Department of
Mental Health and Mental Retardation Advisory Board of Trustees until his death
in May of 2001.
For more information about the
9th annual Charley Pell Classic or the documentary The Legacy of Charley Pell,
contact the department at (334) 242-3417.
###