Texas coaches pull together for Care-a-Van
BURNET — The 8th annual Emory Bellard-Spike Dykes Seton Kids Care-a-Van Golf Classic and Tailgate Party still has openings for the Aug. 5-6 event. The classic serves as the primary fundraiser for the mobile health-care unit that serves uninsured and underinsured children in the Highland Lakes.
“It’s so important,” said Becky Fox, Seton Highland Lakes director of development. “We’re seeing so many families who’ve lost their jobs, lost insurance and rely on the Care-a-Van.”
“Talk about unsung heroes,” said Dykes, the Texas Tech University football program’s all-time winningest coach. “Every dollar that’s raised goes to the care of children who have no insurance. What a great cause.”
This year’s event marks the first since Bellard died Feb. 10.
“It’s very, very, very difficult,” Fox said. “We miss him so much. He was such a wonderful, caring individual. He’s such a motivator. He wanted this to continue. We know he’s with us.”
Bellard, the father of the wishbone offense, was known to talk to children while visiting the Care-a-Van in hopes of lifting their spirits, Fox said.
Dykes credits Bellard for his involvement in the event.
“It’s like a lot of things in your life,” he said. “Things just grow on you. I went to Burnet one day to visit the Care-a-Van, and I saw the kids come and go. Emory Bellard was an unbelievable human being. He affected so many lives.”
Dykes recalls working for Bellard as a young coach shortly after his father died. He and Bellard became close, and Dykes leaned on him for more than his football knowledge, he said.
“He saw my family raised,” Dykes said. “He was a role model. There’ll always be a soft spot in my heart for him. He was special.”
Susan Bellard, Emory Bellard’s wife, “is still very involved,” Fox said.
Legendary coaches Darrell K. Royal of University of Texas football, Jody Conradt of University of Texas women’s basketball and Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum, both of Texas A&M University football, are expected to attend, Fox said.
In addition, University of Texas women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky also is expected, she said.
“The support has been tremendous and still steady, even with the economy,” Fox said. “We’re anticipating great attendance.”
The Tailgate Party is 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center, 1601 U.S. 281 North. This year’s theme is “God Bless Texas.”
The party includes a meal, cash bar and silent and live auctions. Cost is $35 per person or $280 for a table of eight. There also will be a table-decorating contest.
The golf tournament will have 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. shotgun starts. Each round features an 18-hole scramble for teams of four. The $125 cost per golfer includes a golf bag, snacks, beverages and meals throughout the day. The awards ceremony features homemade ice cream.
Gift certificates from the pro shop will be awarded after each session for first-third low gross and first-third low net.
Skill prizes go to closest to the pin and longest drive, while select par 3s will have hole-in-one opportunities.
“It’s a great event,” Dykes said. “People forget about how hot it is and how dry it is. It’s a nice break.”
The Care-a-Van is treating a patient with asthma and has developed a program on child obesity that emphasizes nutrition, Fox said.
“There aren’t that many rural communities like ours that have pediatric care like this,” she said. “Most of the programs are in urban areas.”
Dykes said the programs and care positively impact lives by helping children change their habits.
“Nobody will even know how many lives they’ve saved and how many they’ve changed,” he said.