Quarterback Kurt Warner to Headline FHU’s Annual Benefit Dinner
Quarterback Kurt Warner to Headline FHU’s Annual Benefit Dinner
Henderson, Tennessee (Nov. 30, 2022) — “Ticket sales have been great for this year’s benefit dinner,” Freed-Hardeman University Vice President for Community Engagement Dave Clouse said. The 58th annual dinner Friday night, Dec. 2, 2022, will feature Quarterback Kurt Warner, winner of Super Bowl XXXIV.
The annual FHU Benefit Dinner is typically the state’s largest single-night fundraiser. For the past 22 years, it has generated more than $1 million annually to help students attend FHU. “This year’s dinner is already our third best year,” Clouse said, “and we have a shot at it being the second best year. It could surpass the year we hosted Peyton Manning.”
Forever Communications is the premier media sponsor for the event. Individual tickets are $150 and include dinner and Warner’s presentation and may be reserved at fhu.edu/BenefitDinner.
“Since almost 100% of our students receive financial aid, this night is vital in making their FHU experience and life preparation possible,” Clouse said. “This celebration also has become an annual reunion for faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university.”
The evening will once again feature Christmas in the Commons with carriage rides, carols and shopping in the Merry Market hosted by the FHU Associates.
Prior to Warner’s appearance, entertainment will be provided by Red Steagall, recording artist, songwriter and television and motion picture personality, and the Bunkhouse Boys.
Warner’s story resembles a rags-to-riches story in the best Hollywood tradition. He twice beat the odds to lead two losing franchises to the Super Bowl. In 1999, he emerged from obscurity to lead the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. In that same year, Warner was named the NFL and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. For the next two years, he continued to be a dominant force in the NFL as the ringleader of what became known as the “Greatest Show on Turf.” He led the Rams to two additional playoff appearances, including another Super Bowl, and received Pro Bowl honors for three consecutive years (1999-2001). He also was recognized with two NFL MVP awards, receiving his second after the 2001 season.
Off the gridiron, Warner and his wife, Brenda, established two nonprofits — First Things First Foundation and Treasure House. In the spring of ’21, Warner launched a teaching/instruction platform called QBConfidential (QBC), a video-based/membership only website that delves into the various aspects of learning, viewing and coaching football. It features video tutorials from Warner on Xs & Os, mechanics, mindset, play calling and leadership.
In 2017, Warner was given the ultimate praise in professional football when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lionsgate Films with producers Kingdom Studios brought his life story to the big screen. The movie, “American Underdog,” was released in theaters December 2021; it received an A+ CinemaScore and a 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson, Memphis and Dickson, FHU offers bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.
