BvB Dallas - Tackling Alzheimer’s™

15th Annual Game Day


Our Mission

Raise funds + awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research & support organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Beneficiaries

How the funds are making a difference.

  • PAUSE to Thrive

    BvB Dallas will continue its partnership with Center for BrainHealth with a new program called “PAUSE to Thrive When Facing a Diagnostic.” After the world shifted to remote, online, and hybrid services the last few years, the Center for BrainHealth looks to offer an online platform to deliver the Discovery program reformatted for online audiences and renamed “PAUSE to Thrive.” This program will communicate critical areas proven to support a positive path, with the acronym PAUSE encapsulating five key concepts – Purpose, Acceptance, Understanding, Support, and Energy. “PAUSE to Thrive” training modules will include science-based concepts, action items, and other elements of our traditional Discovery Group.

  • Caregiver Support

    BvB Dallas will continue to support the Senior Source via the Guardianship Program, through which the agency is appointed guardian of older adults deemed incapacitated by the Dallas County Probate Courts. All of the clients of the Guardianship Program have some sort of cognitive impairment with roughly 50% having a dementia diagnosis. Guardians make decisions pertaining to healthcare, medication, housing, and any other needed supportive services.

  • Fellowship Funding

    BvB Dallas will continue to partner with UT Southwestern Medical Center by funding the Clinical Neuropsychology Alzheimer’s Disease Fellowship, which provides the opportunity to rapidly develop expertise in differential diagnosis and treatment of dementia. BvB will also support UT Southwestern in their research to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease by studying the before and after effects of focused ultrasound (FUS) on amyloid and tau protein levels in humans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. There are currently no other known sites studying the effects of FUS-mediated blood brain barrier opening on tau in human patients.

  • Fostering Compassion

    BvB Dallas has supported Juliette Fowler Communities for two years now. This year’s funding will be an extension of their previous Dementia-Friendly Dallas Program called “I’m Still Here.” The “I’m Still Here” program philosophy will train people to increase their personal awareness and recognize signs of dementia in those around them. Individuals served could include Fowler residents and family members as well as individuals living with Alzheimer’s in the greater Dallas community. This will allow participants to offer compassionate assistance that maintains dignity for those suffering with dementia while allowing them to feel heard, feel included, and to thrive.

    The program provides a system of technical assistance as well as tools and resources to assist individuals who are taking action to improve their community, seeking to support those living with dementia and their caregivers to help foster safety, quality of life, and a thriving community for all.

  • Tackling Health Inequalities

    BvB Dallas supports the Alzheimer's Association as they seek to start the “Healthy Brain Initiative” by creating a network of Hispanic women empowered with the knowledge to influence the health outcomes of their communities. They will recruit and grow their network of volunteers in order to reach the maximum number of Hispanic women focusing on informal education to increase awareness of modifiable risk factors within the Hispanic American community. They also wish to identify new opportunities for community collaboration with organizations serving the Hispanic community, and to work alongside one another to determine dementia-related needs of the community.

  • Vital Research

    BvB Dallas is excited to partner with the Center for Vital Longevity at UT Dallas by supporting their study to investigate neural selectivity as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. The findings could support the proposal that neural selectivity is sensitive to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and suggests that one cause of cognitive impairment in very early stages is a breakdown in the brain’s ability to represent information at sufficiently high levels of precision.

To Our Supporters

A letter of gratitude from the Co-Presidents.

As we come together & celebrate our 15th year of existence at the historic Cotton Bowl, we cannot help but be nostalgic.

Years ago, our founder, Erin Finegold White, sat with friends at brunch (as one does in Dallas), and they decided to collectively take action against Alzheimer’s disease. Starting modestly, playing on a city field in the heat of the summer, they raised $75,000.

To this day, we carry on their legacy - this unforgiving disease cannot continue as it has with no treatment and no cure. After 15 years, countless practices, partnerships, phone calls and emails, we can proudly say that we, collectively, have raised over $6 million to TACKLE ALZHEIMER’S.

Following our triumphant return last year, and still very much in a pandemic, we proceeded cautiously optimistic. This year, we took on six very deserving beneficiaries which helped us impact those who are living with Alzheimer’s on a daily basis but also included programs that allowed us to fund ground breaking research.

And now we can only help but look to the future.

The groundwork has been laid. A lot of work has been put in this year by members and leadership alike through round-tables, surveys, phone calls and brainstorms.  Finally, we are happy to announce that we have officially defined BvB Dallas’ five core values as well as our official mission statement.

Core Values:

  1. Integrity

  2. Inclusion

  3. Impact

  4. Brain Health

  5. Fun

Mission Statement: Raise funds & awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research & support organizations in Dallas-Fort Worth.

While this may seem like a small victory for us, it is long overdue. Our organization as a whole will use this statement and our five core values to guide our decision making as we move into the future. Will we possibly rebrand and no longer use BvB Dallas? Yes. And will we use these values to also guide our decisions regarding beneficiary funding? A resounding, yes.

We could not have raised $6 million without everyone’s support, members, donors & partners alike, over the last 15 years. Proud is an understatement, and we will continue to raise funds & awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research and support organizations.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Jessica Pantano & Sara Kern
Co-Presidents, BvB Dallas Board of Directors

The Board

The Board Members are a group of nine visionaries that drive the future of the organization. Their responsibilities are to push the mission, ensure we’re operating in alignment with our values, and unite everyone to the collective vision.

  • Jessica Pantano

    Co-President / Partnerships

  • Sara Kern

    Co-President / Fundraising

  • Anna Harris

    Beneficiaries

  • Avri Boswell

    Secretary / Marketing & Communications

  • Jason Haisler

    Football Operations

  • Jenn B

    Holley Caldwell

    Treasurer

  • Jenn B

    Jenn B.

    Recruitment & Rookies

  • Samantha March

    Events

  • Simon Leung

    Community Outreach / Game Day

  • Erin Finegold White

    Founder

The Neutral Team

The Neutral Team is a group of former participants selected by Board Members for their proven leadership qualities. They guide, support and motivate the Leadership Team.

  • Jenn B

    Casie Wilson

    Ambassadors

  • Jay Jacoby

    Recruitment / Rookies

  • Jenn Thompson

    Partnerships

  • Kelly Smoyer

    Founder

  • Jenn B

    Mike Hsu

    Football Ops

  • Richard Meister

    Strategic Partnerships

  • Samantha Horen

    Marketing & Communications

Pink Team

Pink Players

Pink Coaches

Blue Crew

Players

Coaches

Team Leadership

The Leaders are ”veteran” (returning) participants that focus on the quality of service in our pillars of the organization: fundraising, partnerships, beneficiaries, community outreach, events, recruitment & rookies, football operations, and marketing & communications.

Awards

These awards are handed out by teammates and coaches to participants who exhibit positivity and enthusiasm for their team and BvB.

Hall Of Fame

These participants have reached the $15,000 “Hall of Fame” milestone during their overall tenure with the organization.

 

Hewitt + Saucedo Star Club

Presented by Hewitt + Saucedo Realty Group, these participants have reached $3,000 during this season.

Inductees

⭐⭐⭐⭐Rochelle Gotsdiner star
Jessica Pantano
Holley Caldwell
Shannon Lippincott
Richard Meister
Kelly Smoyer
Samantha March
Michael John
Sara Kern
Avri Boswell
⭐⭐⭐
Lindsay Allmon
Tara Soni
Roman Luczycki
Amanda Marfisi
Alyse Scott
⭐⭐
Alex Compton
Mishell Seyfetdinov
Justin Sarmiento
Cristelle Tejes
Jason Saucedo
Claire Wheatley
Madi Morris
Bobby Miller
Julia Wood
Alex Matway
Jamie Minieri

Rachael Sklar
Casie Ramsier
Colleen Ziperovich
Erik Tomlinson
Leesa Marie
Abby Veach
Natalie Rodriguez
Liza Yates
Noa Haninovich
Jessica Penshorn
Svitlana Smirnova
Simon Leung
Nicole Barber
Mike Hsu
Kara Hickman
Whitney Long
taylor cottingham
Hillary Cox
Nesli Ozaltun
Erin Smith
Melissa Woodring
Erica Stephenson
Kalin Clifford
Jay Jacoby
Mariola Schmid
Clark Parr
Lauren Ladowski
Anna Harris
Meghan Hanna
Jenna Thorman
Tara Gavlak
Nicole Palmer
Casie Wilson
Emelia Wilbanks
Hayden Fowler
Emily Luth
Jason Haisler
Dinara Dussenova
Kim Brown
Emilie Futterman
Devon Wallace
Ben Poynter
Jenn Bee

 

Wall Of Honor

Honoring and remembering family and friends afflicted by Alzheimer’s

In memory of Dan Cox, Gloria Cox, Dwight Cox,
In honor of Joyce Eckert,
In honor of Jan HabererJean CroftDana Drago,
Misty Blankenship
Carol "Meme" Crevasse,
Lamar "Doctor" Crevasse,
Austin Crevasse,
Candice Scott,
Dana Scott,
Lindsey Ahearn,
Stuart Scott, &
Madeline Scott
Kathy Laney,
Ruby Harris
Brandon Farnon
Nelda Walkewicz,
Richard Walkewicz
Marcie Coleman
Josephine Muro
Mae Krodinger
Grandma Jo
Grandpa Jim
Mary Louise Bailey,
Michael James Doran
Mimi & Papaw
Ed Wall
June Gresham,
Richard Johnson,
Glenn Harrison,
Selma Pendleton
Marge Eichman,
Bobbette Griego
Marian Estelle Byerley,
Jeanie Mooris
Patricia Pierron Holley
Josephine Muro
Grammer and Grandpa Winchester
Grandma Tejes
Glenda “Mam-Maw” Juricek
Nancy Markson
Claudia Shockey
Ann Day Marshall
Betty Slovak,
Vlasta Macik
Everett Manning,
Bob Cason
Caroline Looper,
Grandma Eslinger,
GinnyEvelyn Korn
Sarah Bainbridge
Johnny Spannagel and Mary Grace
ThompsonJune Koontz
Mary Grunbaum
Joyce Higginbotham Campbell
June, Dazey, Weaver
Sylvia Binns
Alma Finney


Hillary Cox: In memory of Dan Cox, In memory of Gloria Cox, In memory of Dwight Cox, In honor of Joyce Eckert, In honor of Jan Haberer

Lindsey Rubin: Love you grandmother! Xoxo Lindsey, Lesley, Jason and Robert Rubin

Michael John: In loving memory of Dana!

Ayse Scott: Alzheimer's is not a disease that only affected those diagnosed but also those who surround the patient. Fighting this disease is not a fight that is done alone nor can it only be fought by one person. I am grateful for the time I had with my grandmother but also for those who took the time to care for her. I play in honor of Carol "Meme" Crevasse and those who supported her throughout her life.

Anna Harris: I joined BvB in honor of my best friend's mom, Kathy Laney, and in memory of my grandmother, Ruby Harris.

Brandon Farnon: Norma Farnon , Nellie Mae Simmons

Melissa Woodring: In honor of my Grandparents, Nelda and Richard Walkewicz. Grateful to have been raised by them and still have them in my life.

Madi Morris: In honor of the one year anniversary of your passing <3 Thank you Brian & Shannon Gerstenkorn for your donation! I am honored to play for Mae! Thank you for the donation Laura Geiger Cowley! I'll be thinking of your Grandpa Jim when I take the field tonight!

Jamie Minieri: In honor of my Grandmother

Kelly Smoyer: Memory of: Maxie Pharr, Dick Given, Evelyn Landers, Jerome Binkowitz, Butch Purselley and Honor of: Barbara Leue Parsons, Patricia Ouzts

Claire Wheatley: I’m playing for my Grandma Jo, she had the best hair and sense of humor. We miss our mushroom!

Mariola Schmid: No family should have to go through the pain of losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease. This is why we fight, this is why we fundraise, this is why we play. Be the good you want to see in the world.

Sara Kern: I play for my papaw who has been living with Alzheimer's for year and his caretaker, my mimi.

Nicole Barber: I'm playing in remembrance of my grandfather that passed away last summer due to complications with Dementia. Grandpa- your family misses you so much. You are in our hearts each and every day. Your big smile and gracious heart will never be forgotten. Thank you for all of my wonderful childhood memories spent driving around in your motor home. I miss and love you so much!

Jennifer Bromberg: Tackling Alzheimer’s for those who can’t and determined to find a cure for those still battling!

Ali Griego: For my grandmothers, the boss babes.

Jamie Minieri": I play in honor/memory of my Grandmother.

Cristelle Tejes: I play in memory of Grammer and Grandpa Winchester! I play in memory of Grandma Tejes!I play in memory of Glenda “Mam-Maw” Juricek!! I play for Nancy Markson and her son and caretaker Jack Markson! I play in memory of the Claudia “The Jokester” Shockey!

Hayden Fowler: This is for Mama Day and every patient I’ve treated, as well as the families who have accompanied them on their journeys. May the fight end soon.

Lindsay Prasifka: In Memory of my Grandma and Great Grandma

Lisa Waters: Thank you for your support!

Julia Wood: gone but never forgotten 💚

Aaron Miller: To my grandmother, may you one day remember all of the joy you have given to your friends and family.

Denise Caudill: We love you all the way to the heavens and back! 💕

Danna Callahan: I’m excited to play for the Pink Team this year in honor of my grandmother!

Jenn Thompson: I am playing in honor of Mary Grunbaum who lost her battle to Alzheimer’s this past year💜

Olivia Wilmsen: For my neighbor’s mother who fought a long, hard battle with Alzheimer’s. I’m playing for people like her to one day find a cure! And in the meantime, helping support people like my neighbor who carry the burden of caring for their loved one.

Rhyanna Thomsen: I play in memory of 3 very special family members!

Natalie Rodriguez: We found out my Memaw had Alzheimer’s when she got behind the wheel and couldn’t remember how to drive. It happened fast and I didn’t quite understand it all as a child. She dedicated her life to teaching, told me stories of how she supported and worked her way through college during a time that women just didn’t do that. She played basketball, dedicated her time to her grandchildren and as her disease progressed the stories stopped being told. She was sharp, it wasn’t supposed to happen to her nor should it happen to anybody or any family. I’ve wanted to contribute for years and am finally committing. Help me reach my goals. For the families that became strangers before their time was up, for the kids that lose their parents not physically but mentally, for the grandkids that may not ever be able to hear the stories of how amazing their roots are.

Casie Wilson: I play in memory of my grandmother Alma Finney

Game Rules

Know the rules of the game.

There are no kickoffs.  The team “receiving” possession to start each half, or after the opposing team scores will begin at the 10 yard line closest to their end zone.  

First downs are gained by the ball breaking the plane of the 20-40-40-20 yard lines.

On 4th down, the offense can choose to run another offensive play or choose to “punt”.  If a team chooses to “punt”, possession will go to the other team with the ball spotted as follows:

If "punting" from ; Then ball is spotted on

Own 1 to 30 ; Opponent's 40
Own 31 to 40 ; Opponent's 20
Own 41 to 50 ; Opponent's 10
Opponent's Territory ; Opponent's 10

After a team scores a touchdown they can choose to go for a 1 or 2 point conversion:

2 point conversions will occur from the 10 yard line with no run plays allowed.

1 point conversions will occur from the 3 yard line with no run plays allowed.

The ballcarrier is “down” when one of their flags are pulled.

All offensive players that are downfield of the ball carrier must stop and stand in place once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage. Rule is enforced at the discretion of the ref.

Offensive “blocking” is allowed ONLY when behind the line of scrimmageThe player “blocking” may not initiate contact, may not launch themselves into defender, may not use hands to push forward, may not hold, and may not attempt to move forward while engaged in a block.

Offense must have at least one player (center) on the line of scrimmage.  Only one player may move in motion at the time of the snap.  This motion must be laterally or backwards and not toward the defense’s goal line  (as in college and the NFL).

The length of the “THREE BUD COUNT” will be used for a defender rushing the QB.  The referee will count this as “BUD ONE, BUD TWO, BUD THREE, GO!’. A defender may not cross the line of scrimmage until the referee says GO. 

Only one forward pass can be made during a down. The passer must make the forward pass from anywhere behind the offensive line of scrimmage. All other offensive players are eligible to receive a forward pass. 

A player possessing the ball may lateral the ball at anytime.  A lateral consists of throwing or pitching the ball in a lateral or backward manner that does not advance the ball forward.  There is no limit to the amount of laterals that may be utilized on a given play.  

No slapping/stripping of the ball when it is in the ball carrier's hands.

PENALTIES

Delay of Game - 5 yards

False Start - 5 yards

Illegal Procedure - 5 yards

Defensive Encroachment/Illegal Rush - 5 yards

Intentional Grounding - spot of foul, loss of down

Flag Guarding - 5 yards, spot of foul, loss of down

Offensive Pass Interference - 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, loss of down

Defensive Pass Interference - A spot foul – Ball is placed where infraction occurred; automatic first down. If it occurs over 10 yards from line of
scrimmage:  10 yard penalty from the previous spot; automatic first down.

Ball carrier jumps while in possession of ball - 5 yards from spot of foul, loss of down

Downfield blocking - 5 yard penalty from spot of infraction, loss of down

Defense - Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, automatic first down

Offense - Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 10 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage

Roughing the passer - 10 yard penalty, automatic first down. This includes any touching of the QB above the waist while in the throwing motion OR running into/touching the QB after the ball is away. 

No-run zone violation (inside 10 yard line) - 5 yard penalty from spot of infraction, loss of down

Thank You To Our Sponsors

This wouldn’t be possible without our partners support.

Memory Gallery

A special thank you to our season photographer, Andrew Devereaux.