THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Wednesday, November 22, 1995           TAG: 9511220675

SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   38 lines

CHARITY BOWLERS PUT ON PADS AGAIN TO HELP NEEDY FORMER HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS ARE GETTING READY FOR THURSDAY'S 28TH ANNUAL GAME.

Each Thanksgiving Day morning for the past 28 years, former area high school football players have put on the pads and helmets to help raise money for the needy in the annual Joy Fund Charity Bowl.

In that time, the game has been the top fund raiser for the Joy Fund, donating more than $300,000.

This year's game will be held at 11 a.m. at the Center for Effective Learning Stadium on Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach.

Tickets are $4.

For the past several weeks, former players from the Southeastern, Eastern and Beach districts have been practicing - getting used to playing again.

``We haven't been having full contact,'' organizer John Brett said. ``It's just been to get the timing back and get in a little better shape for the game.

``The guys always play hard.''

The game pits the Southeastern District against a combined team from the Beach and Eastern districts.

Norview 1962 standout Ken Whitley is the only player left on the roster to have played in every Charity Bowl - although the last few years he's kept his string alive with only a play or two, while serving as one of the coaches.

Ray Potter, a kicker at Oscar Smith, also serves as a coach and has played in the game since graduating in 1965.

The game will also feature several players from the Hampton Roads Sharks, the area's minor league team that begins the playoffs Saturday afternoon on the same field. by CNB