After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the Hornell Sports Night will return on Nov. 5 to the Main Place in Hornell with another amazing lineup of superstars on the dias.
Despite not being able to raise money the past two years, the volunteers on the committee wanted to do something for the sponsors who tried to make the event happen before it was shut down with New York state. Once former Buffalo Bills legend Cornelius “Biscuit” Bennett said he wanted to fulfill his commitment from two years ago, the committee went to work.
The committee announced they also have Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, former WWF and WWE superstar Greg “The Hammer” Valentine along with MMA fighter Felipe Silva of Brazil, who took the MMA world by surprise with his 8-0 start and has appeared on major UFC cards.
Proceeds from the event go to youth sports organizations across the Canisteo Valley. The event also has helped sponsor the Steuben-Allegany County Special Olympics competition at Alfred State College where top finishers move on to the state and international competition.
“This is like a new beginning,” said Hornell Sports Night Committee member Mike Brewer. “It’s so good to be back and the main reason we are doing it is for the businesses who tried to sponsor the event before it had to be canceled.”
Those businesses did not want their money back during the pandemic. As youth sports started, the committee was still able to give donations to youth organizations the past two years. Some organizations that were unable to do fundraisers and had limited money were surprised by checks from the committee.
Currently, the main sponsors are Maple City Savings Bank, Community Bank NA, Empire Access, The Hornell Association, Labella Associates, Wegmans and Alstom.
If you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity, see one of the Hornell Sports Night Committee members, Kurt Terwilliger, Steve Harrison, Robert Peish, Mike Brewer, Rich Scavo, Eddie VanStine, Alan Ackley, John Anderson, Steve Harrison and Mason Terwilliger. You can also text or call 607-661-3712. You can mail a sponsorship to Hornell Sports Night, P.O. Box 155, Hornell, N.Y., 14843.
A co-sponsorship package is $1,500 and the table has top billing on banners, advertisements and recognized at the event with a plaque. The committee is still honoring the old corporate sponsorships, which are $450. Sponsorship opportunities are only available for three more weeks.
Tickets are limited to 375 guests and individual tickets will start going on sale only at Wegmans in Hornell through Saturday, Oct. 30. The cost is $65 and they are cash only. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the event.
Other local athletes will be honored at Hornell Sports Night as well.
