A deadly accident four years ago has helped a local organization provide for those in need.

Jeff Showalter was tragically killed in an automobile accident on Sept. 6, 2004.

As a result of his untimely passing, the Jeff Showalter Celebrity Golf Classic was formed by the Ohio Valley Christian Soldiers, an organization that strives to aid the needy.

Now in its fourth year, the gala event has raised more than $90,000, according to one of the event’s organizers, Dave Diosi. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to surpass the $125,000 mark after today,” he said.

He stressed that every cent has been given to local organizations who need assistance. “We usually do that around November and December because of the holidays,” Diosi added.

To raise that much money, organizers had to find a way to draw local golfers to the event. And what better way than to have a lineup of celebrities that tops all others.

“It’s amazing. We’ve got a lot of people here to support the Christian Soldiers and my family,” said Ted Showalter, Jeff’s father. “It’s a great memorial for me. I’m touched every year by the amount of money people spend, the amount of time people spend here with us. It’s just a great event.

Never did we dream that this event would become this big with these type of celebrities,” he added. “We’ve got celebrities and teams asking to come back.”

This year’s star-studded group of celebrities is a very diverse bunch, with former professions ranging from the NFL, to the NBA, MLB, NHL, and even kickboxing.

I was truly amazed when I rounded the corner of the clubhouse at the beautiful Belmont Hills Country Club layout and saw the golfers registering for Wednesday’s event.

You had former Pittsburgh Steelers Greg Best, Jim Bradshaw, Robin Cole, Jason Gildon, Pete Gonzalez, Randy Grossman, Dick Hoak, Marv Kellum and Greg Lloyd.

Then there were Bob Butts, Bill Contz and Ross Fichtner who all played for the Cleveland Browns.

You also had former NFLers Marv Berschet (Washington Redskins), Mike Ciccolella (N.Y. Giants), Don Donatelli (Houston Oilers), Jay Fry (N.Y. Giants coach), Tony Furst (Detroit Lions), Rich Garza (Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos), John Goode (Philadelphia Eagles), Matt Hogg (Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions), former WVU running back Undra Johnson (Dallas Cowboys), Frank Marchlewski (L.A. Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills), St. Clairsville’s Lance Mehl (N.Y. Jets), Don McNeal (Miami Dolphins), Rod Morris (San Francisco 49ers), St. Clairsville native Jake Olsavsky (Dallas Texans, now Kansas City Chiefs), and Herman “Thunderfoot” Weaver (Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks).

Also on hand were Phil Bourque (Pittsburgh Penguins), Lansing native Phil Niekro (Atlanta Braves, N.Y. Yankees), Joe Reccord (Phoenix Suns), Claudio Reilsono (Global Scouting Bureau, Carnegie Mellon University baseball coach), Jim Rooker (Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals), Frank J. Thomas (Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros), George Wilson (Cincinnati Royals, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers, USA Olympic gold medal team 1964), and Bernard “Swiftkick” Robinson (2-time World Kickboxing Champion).

What a lineup!

“Some of these guys have been here all four years,” Diosi explained, “and they will never, never miss it. They enjoy St. Clairsville, the treatment they get here and I do believe it is a blessing that we are looked out for by God and we are taken care of.”

Despite being a diverse group of celebrities, Diosi said they all have one goal in common: “They know this is for a good cause and they dedicate their time, travel here and support us.”

Robinson goes for Record

On Labor Day, “Swiftkick” will attempt to etch his name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The diminutive one will go hold a Longest Punch Bag Marathon at The Health Club at Southpointe, Canonsburg, Pa. The record is 36 hours, 3 minutes, but Robinson has set 37.5 hours as his goal.

The event begins at 6 a.m. Sept. 1 and is estimated to end at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2.

For more information, contact (412) 969-4370. Proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital for cancer research.

Bourque Doesn’t

Like Comparison

Bourque was asked his thoughts on a comparison between rising stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and future HOFer Jaromir Jagr. His response was:

“I’ll be quite frank with you. I get asked that question quite often, I hate the comparison. I really do. It’s almost like they (people) want to bring back Lemieux, bring back Jagr, because there’s such fond memories. I don’t blame them, but Sidney is just such a different player than Mario and Malkin is a different player from Jagr. I just don’t think it’s fair, not only to Jagr and Lemieux, but to Crosby and Malkin as well.”

And the winners were …

The foursome of Fichtner, Jason Pettit, Mike Tennant and Tony Stocklask carded a 53, two strokes better than the team of Olsavsky, Don Bibey, Tom Dowler and Butch Brunner, which won a scorecard playoff with the Linsly team of Mark Landini, Terry Depew, Mark Zavatsky and Reno D’Orio.

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com