Backgammon Tournament Held in Memory of Hugh Allen Jr.
March 16, 2007: as any other fundraisers go, the yearly Hugh Allen Jr. Memorial Backgammon Tournament is not that prestigious compared to the other big-time backgammon tournaments because the prizes that can be won in the tournament are only around $5,000 to $6,000. But to the close friends of Hugh Allen Jr., who succumbed to cancer back in 1982 and to the Memphis chapter of the American Cancer Society, that small amount does not matter.
Reggie Barnes, a friend of Allen's and the Managing Director of Morgan Keegan and Company and the Vice-Chairman of the Backgammon event, said that Hugh was both a great Backgammon player, a Bridge player and a very good friend. Morgan and Allen are close friends and Backgammon players.
The 2 have played at a lot of international tournaments, according to Barnes, who has participated at the 32 Backgammon tournaments now named in honor of Allen. The Morgan Keegan Company became one of the main sponsors of the event about a decade ago. Aside from having the backing of the Morgan Keegan Company, the event was moved to the Overton Square.
The prize comes from the Financial Federal Savings Bank. The first prize of the bank was originally a round trip first class air fare, but Rick Wood, the Senior Vice President of the Bank said that they have changed their prize to $750. As Head of the Backgammon tournament for almost 15 years now, Wood describes himself as a Backgammon player. Participants at the tournament must pay around $150 to enter and play Backgammon at the tournament.
Peggy Kiihnl, Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, said that it may be a small fundraiser, but the history behind it is immense and they are hoping that the partnership will continue.
In addition, Morgan Keegan has a big influence on the community and the event also brings the employees of the company and the community closer together.
04/02/2007 16:46 PM
Adam Hughes
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