DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — For Kirk Herbstreit, it was a great aunt who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

That's just one reason the former Centerville High School and Ohio State quarterback agreed to be the honorary chairman of the All Stars Against Alzheimer's event on May 16 at UD Arena.

"We've all been affected one way or another — family, friends," said Herbstreit, an ESPN college football analyst who works with National City, one of the event's sponsors. "I'm more than happy to be involved. They asked me and I said yes, so I'm looking forward to it."

Organizers for the cocktail-attire, sports-themed gala hope to raise $100,000 for programs and services. The keynote speaker will be former Arkansas football coach and Athletic Director Frank Broyles, whose wife had Alzheimer's.

"I know Frank real well, I've met Coach at about five or six different events," Herbstreit said. "It's really something that's become a passion for him after what he's been through. I know he's looking forward to trying to get the word out, the importance of this disease, and to help try to fight it."

If it seems that Herbstreit is in the area a lot, it's because he is. Whether it's the Sonny Unger Foundation awards ceremony, the Alzheimer's dinner or promoting his Ohio vs. USA Challenge high school football event, Herbstreit makes the drive from Columbus quite often and doesn't receive monetary

compensation.

"Any way I can help out, any way I can contribute in any way to help the next generation to understand how important it is to be involved and to give back, I'm all about that," he said. "It's just about coming back to enjoy myself."

Many of the trips are to see family or take in a game.

"My family, my mom and my sister and brother-

in-law, they live in Centerville," he said. "My wife and I are in Columbus with my boys. When I'm not working, I'm usually at an event. I just love high school athletics, so it's cool for me to be able to come back and be involved."

While his house in Columbus is for sale, Herbstreit's not looking to leave.

"We'd like to find a little bit more privacy just because, doing what I do, people are very passionate about sports," he said. "We would love to stay in Columbus and make our home there for many years."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDaily

News.com.

How to go

What: All Stars Against Alzheimer's

When: 6:30-10:30 p.m., Friday, May 16

Where: University of Dayton Arena

Why: Cocktail-attire, sports-themed gala celebrates 25th anniversary of the Miami Valley chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and will raise funds to support programs and services for area residents living with Alzheimer's disease.

Who: ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit is the honorary chairman. Former Arkansas football coach Frank Broyles, whose wife suffered from Alzheimer's, will speak.

Cost: $175 and $250 (includes VIP reception)

More information: Call Teresa Thomas at (937) 291-3332, e-mail her at teresa.thomas@alz.org or visit www.alzdayton.org

Vote for this story!