Inspiring Minds on the golf course

The inaugural Inspiring Minds Celebrity Golf Outing is set for 10 a.m. today at Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Among the celebrities expected to participate are current NFL players Mario Manningham, Chris Rucker, T.J. Ward, Troy Smith, Bobby Carpenter, Bryan Scott and A.J. Hawk. Former NFL players Deryck Toles, Doug Datish and Bobby Jones also are expected to be on the course.

Manningham (San Francisco 49ers) and Rucker (Indianapolis Colts) are Warren G. Harding High School graduates. Manningham was the hero of the New York Giants' most recent Super Bowl victory and a former Michigan standout. Rucker played at Michigan State and is entering his second season as a cornerback with the Colts.

Toles, Inspiring Minds' founder and executive director, is a former Penn State linebacker and a Harding graduate. He retired from the NFL as a member of the Colts.

Datish, a Howland graduate, played at Ohio State with Smith, Hawk and Carpenter. Datish spent time with the Atlanta Falcons. Smith is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hawk is with the Green Bay Packers. Carpenter is with the New England Patriots. Scott is a former teammate of Toles with Penn State and currently with the Buffalo Bills.

Jones, a Brookfield graduate, was a wide receiver with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns from 1978-83.

Contact Inspiring Minds at 330-469-6729 for more information about the golf outing and its other activities on behalf of young people.