Chuck Long Sports Auction

Tom Brady autographed helmet

The 12th annual Chuck Long Sports Auction was held on March 14th at the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf, IA. The event raised $55,888 for the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. A tailgate style buffet, complete with jumbo hot dogs, fried chicken and huge bowls of chips and dips, was served while guests looked at 100’s of items to bid on for the silent auction and the regular traditional style auction. Matt Randazzo, Assistant Sports Editor at WQAD, News Channel 8 in Moline, was the emcee for the evening, taking over from long time host Dan Burich, who also was present to lend his support. Due to work commitments in San Diego, CA, Chuck Long, former Iowa Hawkeye stand out Quarterback and assistant coach, was unable to attend. Marv Cook, former Hawkeye tight end and New England Patriot stepped in to cover for him.

This event would not have been possible without all the volunteers from the Quad Cities. The service sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, of Augustana College was present to help with the silent auction assuring the items matched the winning bidders. Volunteers from Hooters helped Auctioneer Matt Costello and his associates with the fast moving live auction. News Anchor Matt Hammill, from WQAD, was a one-man welcome committee handing out programs and showing guests where to register. The event coordinator was Marie Foster.

Executive Director, George McDoniel, spoke about the bravery of the children served, as the children are asked to “do things that hurt, over and over again,” while therapists provide the supportive therapy to them so they can reach their highest level of independence.

Next, Emcee Matt Randazzo took over to say a few words, mentioning that over a half a million dollars has been raised for the CTC in the last 12 years because of the Chuck Long Sports Auction. He shared that soon he and wife will become parents for the first time. It was a real family affair for Matt; his parents were also in attendance. He introduced Marv Cook, who is currently the head football coach at Regina High School in Iowa City. “I had a dream and I never gave up on my dream,” Coach Cook told the guests. “The only thing that endures is character,” A West Branch, Iowa native, he led the Big Ten in receiving in 1988. He passed up a career in finance to work as the coach at the small Catholic high school.

Then the Auction was on! The skills of Auctioneer Matt Costello were quite impressive, while the three Hooters girls did a great job displaying the items to the guests. The item of most interest, and the most expensive, was a red white and blue, British flag emblazoned guitar autographed by Sir Paul McCartney, formerly of the Beatles. The guitar will now be on display at Galesburg’s Spudo Restaurant, a ‘50’s style restaurant, after bringing in $5,000.00 for the CTCQC. There were hats, footballs, ticket packages and a gelato machine that all were auctioned off, all with the children of CTCQC in mind.

As the evening wound to a close, as the Ambassadors, Sara McKay and Austin Posey were getting ready to say their goodnights, it was revealed that although our sluggish economy kept people from spending as much as they did last year, over $55,000.00 was raised to help the children at CTCQC.

Chuck Long

Chuck was a prep standout at North High School in Wheaton, IL. He holds the University of Iowa’s career passing yards record (10,461) & touchdowns record (74). He was Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior and a consensus All-American. He won the Maxwell Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award and finished 2nd to Bo Jackson in the closest Heisman vote ever. Chuck was the #1 draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1986 & spent 9 seasons in the NFL. Chuck was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1999.

Want to see more? 2008 Chuch Long Sports Auction