Leader of the "Greatest Show on Turf" Returns to St. Louis: 2023 Leadership Series Featuring Dick Vermeil
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - 11:30am
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
Rockhurst University welcomes Hall of Fame Coach Dick Vermeil.
Coach Vermeil was chosen to guide the fortunes of the downtrodden Philadelphia Eagles franchise in 1976, a team that hadn’t been in the NFL playoffs in 16 years. In seven seasons with the Eagles, Vermeil engineered four playoff appearances, highlighted by an NFC Championship Game win over the Dallas Cowboys and a trip to Super Bowl XV vs. the Oakland Raiders in 1980. Vermeil retired following the 1982 season and began a 14-year broadcasting career. In 1997, Vermeil returned to the NFL as head coach of the St. Louis Rams and led the team to its first Super Bowl victory after the ’99 season, beating the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. This second trip to football’s greatest game made Coach Vermeil just one of four coaches in NFL history to lead two different teams to the Super Bowl. Vermeil again retired but was soon recruited to return to the arena in 2001 when he was named the ninth head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. In his third season (2003) in KC, the Chiefs won their division with a 13-3 record and advanced into the NFL playoffs, making Vermeil one of only five NFL head coaches to lead three different teams into the playoffs. Following his fifth season with the Chiefs, Vermeil retired for the final time, leaving the Chiefs as the team’s third-winningest coach.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
100 Carondelet Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63105
2023 Magis Award for Leadership and Service
Glenn, ’83 and Maureen, ’84, Heitmann
The Magis Award is given to members of the Rockhurst University community in St. Louis who epitomize the Jesuit value of "magis," meaning “more.” This year’s Magis Award recipients, Maureen, ’84, and Glenn, ’83 Heitmann met at Rockhurst as members of the RU SAB (Social Activities Board). A few short years later, they married in their hometown of St. Louis with Frs. Weiss and Freeman, former RU presidents, officiating. They continue to give “more” to Rockhurst University and the St. Louis community.
Faber Young Alumni Award
Ryan Kelly, ’07, ’08 MBA
The Faber Young Alumni Award will be presented to Ryan Kelly, ’07, ’08 MBA, in recognition of his service to the RU community and its mission; his leadership and dedication to the RU St. Louis Alumni and Leaders Council; and his commitment to serving others in St. Louis. Ryan and his wife, Elisa, have two children, Clara and Patrick. Ryan has spent his entire career at FORVIS and was recently promoted to partner.
Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsor!
Secure Your Sponsorships
Priority reservations are now open. To secure your sponsorship, please contact Ann Zanaboni at ann.zanaboni@rockhurst.edu or visit this page.
Individual Tickets
A limited number of individual tickets are available here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor - $10,000
· Two premier table locations for 20 guests seated with Rockhurst University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., and keynote speaker Dick Vermeil
· Representative in the live program of the event
· Exclusive VIP meet and greet with University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., and Dick Vermeil
· Company logo on all event materials, webpage, and in RU magazine
· VIP guest experience
· Title sponsorship listing and acknowledgment in all marketing materials
· Complimentary gift for each guest
· Valet parking for guests
Jesuit Sponsor - $5,000
· Premier table locations for 10 guests
· Exclusive VIP meet and greet with University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., and keynote speaker Dick Vermeil
· Company logo on all event materials, webpage, and in RU magazine
· VIP guest experience
· Title sponsorship listing and acknowledgment in all marketing materials
· Complimentary gift for each guest
· Valet parking for guests
St. Louis Sponsor $3,000
· Premier table locations for 10 guests
· Company logo on all event materials, webpage, and in RU magazine
· Exclusive VIP registration prior to the event
· VIP guest experience
· Title sponsorship listing and acknowledgment in all marketing materials
· Complimentary gift for each guest
Mission Sponsor - $2,000
· Upgraded table locations for 10 guests
· Exclusive VIP registration prior to the event
· VIP guest experience
· Title sponsorship listing and acknowledgment in all marketing materials
· Complimentary gift for each guest
Individual tickets - $150
