Former world heavyweight boxing champion "Smokin' Joe" Frazier will be in Erie at a fundraiser for his foundation on Friday, April 20. The event, organized and hosted by students in the master of business administration program at Penn State Erie will raise funds to benefit Frazier's newly established foundation, which is partnering with Erie's Trinity Center to develop a boxing/wellness youth center in Erie.
The event is open to the public and will be held in the Junker Center at Penn State Erie. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the evening's presentation starting soon after. A suggested donation of $10 per attendee will be collected at the door. E-mail joefrazier@psu.edu for more information or reservations.
Along with Frazer, the evening will feature a live auction of memorabilia, including a set of boxing gloves signed by Frazier, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. An autograph session with Frazier will be at the end of the event.
All proceeds from the event and auction will benefit the Smokin' Joe Frazier Foundation for the establishment of the Erie center, to be located on West 18th Street in the former Johnson and Flick Tire Center. The location will be transformed into a boxing/wellness fitness center that will help kids and families get into shape by providing a number of unique programs that focus on fitness, nutrition and education, as well as build confidence and self-esteem.
The West 18th Street location already has been purchased by Trinity Center, a program of Bethesda Children's Home that provides drug and alcohol prevention services with an emphasis on education. Bethesda Children's Home developed an affiliation with the Fraziers two years ago with the establishment of Bethesda's own boxing program at the Trinity Center on West 18th Street in Erie. In exchange for Bethesda assisting the Fraziers in establishing programs for kids in Philadelphia, the Fraziers are helping Bethesda Children's Home develop a boxing gym in Erie comparable to theirs in Philadelphia.
Frazier was heavyweight champion of the world from 1968 to 1973. Born in South Carolina, Frazier was raised in Philadelphia. Prior to beginning his professional boxing career, he was an Olympic gold medalist in 1964.
He began boxing professionally in 1965. He is most recognized for his trilogy of fights with Muhammad Ali, his former chief rival. With a career record of 32 wins, four losses, one draw, with 27 wins by knockout, Frazier is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time. He is actively involved in strengthening urban youth through the Smokin' Joe Frazier Foundation, which endeavors to produce "Life Champions" through grants for organizations that have activities, programs and services that result in true change in the quality of life for urban youth and families through community commitment, collaboration and partnership.
Marvis Frazier, Smokin' Joe's son, also will speak at the event. Marvis Frazier, a former boxer himself, is a motivational speaker who travels the country speaking on topics such as faith, perseverance and success.
Zack Harper, Ben Schlosser and Ethan Rice are students in Michael Brown's Leadership Seminar (B ADM 521), part of the master of business administration program in the Sam and Irene Black School of Business. Brown is an assistant professor of management and structures this course to provide students with the opportunity to learn to lead.
"There is a substantial 'knowing-doing' gap in the domain of leadership," Brown said. "Understanding how to lead effectively is important. But knowing what to do is not enough. Although many individuals and organizations are familiar with the 'ABCs' of effective leadership, they have a hard time putting these principles into practice. Research suggests that the best way to learn to lead is to lead. This course is based on that premise and utilizes an experiential learning approach."
"Our assignment was to raise money for a nonprofit organization," Harper said. "Once we found out about the great things the foundation was already doing in Philadelphia and the tremendous benefit this would bring to Erie, we thought it was something that would be incredible to be part of. We think that this is a great foundation that will help many children in the Erie community, and the success of this event will help achieve this goal."
Kathy Noce, lecturer in management information systems and director of Partnership Erie, an outreach program of the Black School, has done work with the Fraziers and their foundation in the past and was aware of the intention to bring their program to Erie. She has worked with the students and is serving as the faculty coordinator of the event. "Without her involvement, this event would not be taking place," Brown said.
More information about the foundation can be found at http://www.frazierfoundation.org online. Information about Trinity Center can be found at http://www.bethesda-home.org/programs/trinity.htm online.
For more information, visit http://www.behrend.psu.edu online.