Super Bowl MVP to highlight Pope John fundraiser

Sparta — The Pope John High School Booster Club 2016 Beefsteak Dinner, Auction and Tricky Tray features Super Bowl MVP and Former NY Giant Ottis “OJ” Anderson as its special guest speaker Saturday, November 19 at 6 p.m. at Pope John High School.
“We’re thrilled to offer such a high-profile motivational speaker at our open-to-the-public annual fundraiser, expected to be our best-attended to date,” said event co-chair Melissa Dietz, “Mr. Anderson’s ready to entertain and inspire our guests while they dine on the state’s best beefsteak dinner.” Event co-chair Lucy Lubertazzo adds, “Ticket purchases help offset rising costs of keeping extracurricular activities an integral part of our children’s education, from drama clubs to robotics teams to all of the various sports programs. With these programs, children learn so much outside of the classroom such as teamwork, cooperation, and social skills. Besides our Pope John students, local recreational teams such as Sparta Midget Football also benefit from the use of our fields and courts.”
The evening kicks off with an auction and tricky tray followed by a Brownstone-catered beefsteak dinner with open bar. Tickets are $60. through October 31, and $70. starting November 1. Interested parties should email beefsteak@popejohn.org to obtain a ticket request form or contact event co-chair Lucy Lubertazzo at (973) 729-9934. Checks and credit cards accepted.
Ottis “OJ” Anderson was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, and went on to become the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, NFL Rookie of the Year, and All-Pro. In 1984, he became the 16th player in NFL history to record 100 yard efforts in both rushing and receiving in a single game. In 1986, he joined the NY Giants where he would cap the Giants’ 39-20 Super Bowl XXI victory over the Denver Broncos with a two-yard run. In 1990, Anderson surpassed the 10,000-yard rushing mark, making him a member of the NFL’s elite “10,000-Yard Club.” That same season, he played in all 16 games and started 13 while leading the team in rushing during the regular season and powering the team through the playoffs and the Super Bowl XXV championship game. His 102 yards rushing during the game marked the 37th 100-yard game of his career and earned him Super Bowl XXV MVP honors.
Located at 28 Andover Road in Sparta, Pope John XXIII Regional High School is an 8th-12th grade institution committed to the Catholic tradition of education. Guided by the belief that each child has unique gifts and is entitled to an excellent education, the Pope John community fosters its students’ intellectual, spiritual and physical growth and champions the importance of social responsibility. For additional information regarding Pope John XXIII Regional High School, visit popejohn.org/ or call the main office at (973) 729-6125.