All-Stars make a difference

Toyota East vs. West All-Star participants pose at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium with donations for Cookeville area Toys For Tots program.
Toyota East vs. West All-Star participants pose at Tennessee Tech's Tucker Stadium with donations for Cookeville area Toys For Tots program.
Toyota East vs. West All-Star participants pose at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium with donations for Cookeville area Toys For Tots program.

COOKEVILLE – Eighty-eight all-star players, 18 all-star cheerleaders, and 16 all-star coaches from across Tennessee found a way to make an all-star difference as they made Cookeville their home for the recent Toyota East vs. West All-Star Classic. Team physicians, TACA staff members, local game operations crew, and even fans joined together to offer donations to the Gatlinburg Fire Fund. This is in addition to each all-star participant’s donation to the Cookeville area Toys For Tots program.

The event, coordinated by the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association in conjunction with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau, raised nearly $2,000 to assist in relief efforts for the recent wildfire tragedy in the Smokies, while toys and clothing donations were provided to Toys For Tots by each player and cheerleader.

The Gatlinburg contribution was presented to one of the all-star staff’s own, Wayne Bradenburg, a Gatlinburg paramedic and trainer for the all-star game for the past six years.

The Toyota East vs. West Tennessee All-Star Classic has selected Cookeville to serve as host since 2012.

“It is very humbling to be a part of a group of men and women that volunteer their time and energy to make the Toyota East-West All-Star Classic a reality,” said TACA Executive Director Bill Marbet. “We are tremendously proud to be a part of the Cookeville team. We feel, because of the hospitality and dedication of the Cookeville Chamber and Visitors Bureau and its leadership, the All-Star Classic will continue to grow and prosper in the City of Cookeville.”

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