Third Annual
Sports Night at the Pearl

February 25, 2017
Pearl Fincher | Museum of Fine Arts 
Main Gallery
Catered by Jackson & Company
Join us at the Pearl on the evening of February 25, 2017 for an annual event unlike any other!  Sports fans gather in the galleries of the Pearl to enjoy gourmet meals catered by Jackson & Company and to hear from some of the biggest names in the Houston and national football scene.

In 2015, Houston Chronicle sports writer Dale Robertson emceed a lively discussion with former Houston Astros Manager Phil Garner and former MLB pitcher, manager, and broadcaster Larry Dierker.  In 2016, Dale Robertson reprised his role as Master of Ceremonies in the company of former NFL Head Coach Dick Vermeil and Houston Chronicle sports columnist and radio personality John McClain.

Dale Robertson & John McClain return in February 2017 to discuss the spectrum of collegiate and professional football with former Houston Oiler running back Spencer Tillman.  The discussion will include coverage of Super Bowl LI, which is to be hosted in Houston just a couple of weeks prior to Sports Night 2017.

Panel of Speakers
  Spencer Tillman  |  John McClain  |  Dale Robertson
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Spencer Tillman is a former running back for the Houston Oilers (1987-88,1992-94) and the San Francisco 49ers (1989-1991). Tillman, along with co-captains Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott, defeated the AFC champion Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

Before Tillman made it big in the NFL, he made a name for himself playing for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.  As team captain, Tillman took the Sooners to the Orange Bowl in 1986 where they won against Penn State. In 1987, he earned the title of Orange Bowl MVP.

Spencer Tillman now hosts the show Inside the Game, airing on KTRK ABC 13 Houston on Sunday evenings.


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John McClain, who grew up in Waco and graduated from Baylor, left the Waco Tribune-Herald to join the Houston Chronicle in October 1976 to cover the original Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. His first Houston Oilers' training camp was in 1977.  He has since covered the Oilers, Texans, and the NFL for the Houston Chronicle.

John McClain currently does eight weekly sports talk shows in Houston, Austin, Waco, and Nashville.  He appears on three weekly sports talk shows on the Texans' flagship: Sports Radio 610, and three on the Titans' flagship: 104.5 The Zone.  McClain is a contributor to The Sports Xchange, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the NFL Network, and Sirius Radio.
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Dale Robertson is the longest-tenured sports writer in Houston, having worked in the market since 1972. He has covered major local and international sporting events, from the Super Bowl to the Tour de France. He now focuses on the Houston Texans, tennis, and cycling, all while serving as the Houston Chronicle's wine columnist. Prior to joining the Chronicle in 1990, Robertson spent 18 years at the Houston Post, covering a variety of sports including the Aeros hockey team during the Gordie Howe-era, and the Houston Oilers during Bum Phillips' tenure. He is the winner of the 2010 Fred Hartman Award for Excellence in sports journalism, and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Alliance Française de Houston.

Live Auction Items 

Can't attend Sports Night but want to bid on these terrific auction items?
Please call 281-726-5783 before noon on Saturday, February 25 for more information.

2-Night Stay at Bluejack National

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A two-night stay, during the week, in Bluejack National, in Montgomery, Texas. Rated the best new private golf course in America by Golf Digest and Sports Illustrated, this is the only Tiger Woods designed course in the country.

Enjoy 2 rounds of golf for 4, including caddies, in addition to night golf on the lighted par 3 "playground" course. stay in a fabulous "Sunday" house on number 11 fairway, which includes 4 bedrooms & 4 baths. Bluejack National features many family oriented amenities, including fishing lakes, and 7 miles of hiking, biking and jogging trails, in addition to several dining options. This is a rare opportunity to play the best new private course in the country.

Wine Tasting Event

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Set in a secluded valley between the picturesque village of Ségueret and Mont Ventoux in the Côtes du Rhône region of France, Domaine de Mourchon was created by the McKinley family in 1998 and produces the wines guests will enjoy  at this year's Sports Night event.

Join owner Walter McKinley and Dale Robertson for a wine tasting and French dining experience for 8, hosted by Bette and David Chenault in their home.  Experience all of the best wines from Domaine de Mourchon, including the award winning Rosé, the Family Reserve, and the Chåteauneuf-du-Pape, on the evening of Tuesday, April 11, 2017 when Mr. McKinley will be in Houston.

Dinner, Wine, & Texas on the Bye

Join John McClain and Dale Robertson for their analysis of the Houston Texans season at the lovely home of Patty and Pete Cooley. A delicious dinner and fine wines for 8 people will be served to you by your hosts - Bette and David Chenault, Patty and Pete Cooley, Andrea and Jim Garrity, and Barbara and Rusty Schlattman. Date to be determined by NFL when final schedule is published. The weekend that your Texans have a "bye" will be our date (2016 bye was Nov. 6th).
2017 Sports Night at the Pearl: Tables & Tickets
Seating is limited for this special event!  Guests can purchase tables and individual tickets in the museum's Online Store, at the museum Front Desk, or by contacting Development Director Clara Lewis at 281-376-6322 or clara@pearlmfa.org.  Event sponsorships are also available; more information can be found below.

TABLES
  • $10,000 MVP Table (Exclusive Presenting Title Sponsor)
    The event will be called "Sports Night at the Pearl, presented by (your name or company)." Additionally, you will enjoy the following benefits:
    • Priority seating for 12 guests. 
    • Recognition in all event-related announcements and printed materials as the Presenting Title Sponsor
    • Your single company logo will be prominently displayed at the gallery entrance and inside the galleries for the duration of the event
    • Recognition at the event during opening remarks, and on the website, in the Museum e-newsletter, and on social media
    • As a presenting sponsor you will be invited to host a private reception on an evening mutually agreed upon by you and the Museum
    • 1-year Corporate Circle Membership to the Museum
  • $5,000 Head Table (3 available)
    Exclusive priority seating for 12 guests, in addition to the Special Guest Speaker of your choice:
    • Spencer Tillman - Former running back for the Houston Oilers and San Fransico 49ers and host of KTRK ABC13's ​Inside the Game
    • John McClain  - Houston Chronicle football columnist and sports talk show regular
    • Dale Robertson - Master of Ceremonies and the longest-tenured sports writer in Houston 
  • $2,500  Table for Ten 
    Seating for 10 guests.  Listing in invitation, recognition in program, on website, and in event-related communications.
TICKETS
  • $250  Individual Ticket
2017 Sports Night at the Pearl: Underwriting Opportunities
To purchase an event sponsorship, please contact Development Director Clara Lewis at 281-376-6322 or clara@pearlmfa.org.
• $10,000 MVP {Exclusive Presenting Title Sponsor}
Includes an exclusive table for 12. See tables for full list of benefits. 
  • ​​$5,000 Game Time Dinner Sponsor (1 available)
    Helps underwrite expenses for a gourmet meal catered by Jackson & Company. Recognized with your name or logo at the gallery entrance and inside the galleries, during the event, on the website, e-newsletter, on social media, and in event-related announcements and printed materials
  • $2,500 Kickoff Cocktail Sponsor (1 available)
    Helps underwrite cocktail hour with specialty cocktails and an open bar. Recognized with your name or logo on bar signage, with your name or logo at the gallery entrance and inside the galleries, during the event, on the website, e-newsletter, on social media, and in event-related announcements and printed materials
  • $2,500 Tailgate Valet Sponsor (1 available)
    Helps underwrite complimentary valet service for all Sports Night guests. Recognized with signage at the drive-up, during the event, on the website, e-newsletter, on social media, and in event-related announcements and printed materials
  • $2,000 Touchdown Event Sponsor
    Helps underwrite event costs. Recognized with your name or logo on display for the duration of the event, on the website, in the e-newsletter, on the program, and in event-related advertising
  • $1,500 Overtime Dessert Sponsor​
    Helps to underwrite a showstopping Dessert Course. Recognized on the printed menu, on the program, on the website, in the e-newsletter, on social media, and in event-related advertising
  • $1,000 Field Goal Event Sponsor
    Helps underwrite event costs. Recognized on the website, in the e-newsletter, and in event-related advertising
  • $500 Extra Point Event Sponsor
    Helps underwrite our beverage bar. Recognized on bar signage and with a half-page program ad. 
A special thank you to the 2017 Sports Night at the Pearl Committee: 
David Chenault, Calvin Cobb, Pete Cooley, Charles Dunagan, Andrea Garrity, and Rusty Schlattman