Tyler Hansbrough Day info

Tyler Hansbrough is coming home and Poplar Bluff is going to throw a party.

The city will honor Poplar Bluff's most famous basketball player with a ceremony and banquet on Thursday, Aug. 13.

"Tyler has represented Poplar Bluff so well and has been such a great role model that we felt it was time to honor him," said Sam Giambelluca, who is among a group of civic leaders organizing the event.

Tyler Hansbrough Day will be highlighted by a banquet dinner at the Black River Coliseum, which will feature the three-time all-American, former teammates, coaches and representatives from the Indiana Pacers, who selected Hansbrough with the 13th pick in the June NBA draft.

The dinner, which costs $50 per person, is limited to 500 and will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Coliseum. Tickets will go on sale starting Thursday (July 23) at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

A shorter ceremony open the public will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Peters Gym where Hansbrough became the alltime leading scorer at Poplar Bluff High School with 2,464 career points.

"I think it's just a real fitting tribute to him," said John David Pattillo, Hansbrough's coach at Poplar Bluff. "I think it's going to be tremendous."

Pattillo, who is recovering from heart surgery, will be at the events while Hansbrough's college coach Roy Williams and new Pacer coach Jim O'Brien have been invited to attend.

Larry Bird, president of basketball operations, and Sam Perkins, vice president of player relations, are among those in the Pacers organization who have been invited. The team will send its Fan Van and fans will have the opportunity to purchase season tickets.

Bobby Frasor, Hansbrough's teammate at North Carolina the last four years, has also been invited. Poplar Bluff natives and P.B. sports hall of famers Derland Moore (retired NFL player) and Sean Fister (pro golfer), Hansbrough's uncle, also plan on being in town for the event.

A list of featured guests and speakers for the dinner will be released at a later date once everybody has made a commitment, Giambelluca said.

The banquet at the coliseum also will feature a 15-minute video highlight of Hansbrough's career at North Carolina followed by an undetermined number of speakers.

"It's hard to say because we don't know on these coaches yet," Giambelluca said of the program at the coliseum.

Hansbrough, who is the grand marshal for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also will play at a charity golf tournament benefiting the Mules' booster club on Friday, Aug. 14. The four-person scramble has already been filled but sponsors are still needed.

The event at Peters Gym will be free but with a shorter program that will feature honors from the city and school to Hansbrough, who already has his No. 50 retired at Poplar Bluff and North Carolina.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and seating will be general admission. The number of seats available at Peters Gym, which holds about 3,000 for a basketball game, will be determined at a later date once the final layout of the stage is set.

A ticket to the banquet does not reserve a seat at Peters Gym. The only way for a fan to ensure seeing Hansbrough is to purchase a banquet ticket in advance, Giambelluca said.

Proceeds raised from ticket sales will pay for the ceremonies and anything left over will go toward a sign proclaiming Poplar Bluff as Hansbrough's hometown.

The golf tournament and silent auction the following day will raise funds for the Mules Booster Club.

Hansbrough will not be available to sign autographs but everybody who attends the events will receive a program that will include a photo and copy of his signature.

"We want this day to be for Tyler to enjoy with his family and friends," Giambelluca said.

To purchase tickets for the banquet, visit the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce at 111 West Pine. For more information call the Chamber at (573) 785-7761.

Editor's Note: The Daily American Republic will print a special section in the Aug. 13 edition looking back at Hansbrough's high school and college careers.