UMMen to hear TU coach at regional gathering

Coach Bill Blankenship talks with TU players during a game last fall. Photo by Scott McGonagle

The head football coach for the University of Tulsa will headline a regional United Methodist Men program on April 20 at Asbury UMC in Tulsa.

Bill Blankenship will be keynote for "One Rung in the Ladder: Defining Your Legacy," theme for the 2013 UMMen North East Regional Gathering, from 8 to 4 p.m. that Saturday. All men are welcome.

A former TU quarterback, Blankenship is in his second year as head coach. He has received the "Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award" and is in the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has been state director for Coaches Outreach Ministry.

The UMMen event also will feature a message by Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. and four breakout sessions. A men’s choir from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference will bring special music. Lunch is included.

Conference UMMen president, Bill Chissoe of Norman, hopes the event will be the first of several regional men’s gatherings.

Register now at www.okumc.org/umm . Early-bird discount is $25 through April 10.