Lazy Bear Ranch to hold Weiser football fundraiser

The second annual Lazy Bear Ranch fundraiser, benefitting Weiser football, is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 20 at the Lazy Bear Ranch located at 612 Unity Lane in Weiser.
 The event kicks off with cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by a tri-tip steak dinner at 7 p.m., and music, provided by the Jeff Palmer Band, at 8 p.m.
 Cost is $40 for singles and $70 per couple. All proceeds benefit Weiser football programs and the Weiser High School girls’ basketball program.
 Former Chicago Bear and 1985 Super Bowl Champion, Tim Wrightman, runs Lazy Bear Ranch, which hosts world-class pheasant hunting and weddings.
 He started the fundraiser two years ago with the intention of making it an annual event. The pandemic temporarily put a hold on those plans, but this year the fundraiser is moving full-steam ahead.
 Wrightman, who played with NFL greats like Jim McMahon and the “Fridge” William Perry, said he wanted to give back after Weiser High School head football coach Tom Harrison assisted him with his local annual Champion Mindset football camp.
 “The fundraiser was a lot of fun and there was big participation from the county,” he told the Weiser Signal American. “It was the result of the help I got from Tom. I started a foundation about three years ago doing charity football camps for economically disadvantage kids in the Treasure Valley. Coach Harrison brought his staff and they did the drills. Tom was so willing to give his time, and all of the coaches came out, I decided I wanted to do something for him.”
 Wrightman suggested the idea for a fundraiser that, like his foundation, would help disadvantaged kids by raising funds for athletes who may not have money for equipment and other expenses.
 Proceeds from the Lazy Bear Ranch fundraiser will benefit not only high school football players, but players at all levels in Weiser.
 “From what I understand, some kids have to pay to play sports now, so it might help some of those kids who can’t afford that,” he said. “It could be uniforms, equipment, travel, or myriad of things that cost to put on a football program.”
 The fundraiser, this year, will also benefit the Weiser High School girls’ basketball program. Harrison’s wife, Lariane Harrison, is the head coach.
 “It’s just a bunch of people pulling together to help the local kids,” Wrightman said. “Last time, after paying expenses, we were able to donate close to $2,500. And, it’s a fun night. It’s something fun for people here to do on a Friday night, and we make some money at the same time for these programs. It’s a win-win.”
 Coach Harrison, who is rumored to enjoy dancing, is looking forward to the event.
 “It really is a fun time and they have music you can dance to,” he said. “It’s a great meal and a great time. The money goes for a lot of different things. Last time  we did this, we even bought socks for some of the younger kids. There are expenses and not every kid can afford some of the stuff you need to have, so it’s good we can help them out. It’s great that Tim is able to do this for the kids.”
 Wrightman attended a Catholic high school in San Pedro, Calif. and had only 25 players on his team. He said it was his high school experience that was critical to his development as a player and a man.
 “It was so instrumental in my success and it was the most fun I ever had playing football,” he said. “It was more fun than winning a Super Bowl, when you are playing for the right reasons, for the love of your head coach, your school, your teammates, and all of those things.
 “I always try to help more at that level because I think they appreciate it more. I think it’s a huge developmental time for them as men. You want them to have a good experience there and a good relationship with their coaches, and if kids are motivated to play football, they know they have to go to school, so it all goes hand-in-hand.”
 Wrightman said he will hold his Champion Mindset Football Camp in May of 2022 and plans to invite former Washington Redskin and Oakland Raider quarterback Jay Schroeder and another former NFL player.
 Schroeder, who attended Wrightman’s last camp, was the back-up quarterback for the Washington Redskins behind Joe Theisman.
 “It’s for kids who can’t afford to go to the Boise State [University] football camp, so they can have something to talk about. I flew up a couple of former NFL friends of mine, Jay and Gary [“Hitman”] Fencik who was a defensive back on the Bears when I played.”
 Harrison will once again bring his staff and run drills with participating players.
 “Last time, we did football drills and Jay threw some balls, and had some little scrimmages. Then we feed them lunch and have what I call Character Counts chalk talks where we talk about our lives as pro athletes and how character and integrity played an important role in our success.”
 Watch for more information on the camp in the Weiser Signal American next spring.
 For more information on Lazy Bear Ranch, visit www.lazybearranch.com. For more information on the Champion Mindset camp, visit www.timwrightmanfoundation.org.

Category:

Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

Connect with Us