By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 17, 2006
[Times photo: Ken Helle]
NBA legend Michael Jordan jokes with Derek Jeter, who is planning to start a residential high school for troubled teens in Tampa.
TAMPA - For three years, Derek Jeter has drawn big-name sports celebrities to Tampa for his annual golf tournament, with Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez and Reggie Jackson among those taking swings Monday morning at the Avila Golf & Country Club to benefit area causes.
Within the next year or so, there should be a big indication of how much impact Jeter's charitable efforts have had in the area.
Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation plans to donate $1-million to launch the Phoenix House's Derek Jeter Academy, a residential high school in Tampa where troubled teens can receive drug and alcohol treatment while getting an education.
S. Charles Jeter, the Yankee star's father, said organizers are seeking a Tampa-area site for the academy and hope to have it open in 2007.
"We're going to partner with Phoenix House, and we're going to do wonderful things," the elder Jeter said. "We're going to have more than just naming rights. Derek's going to be involved. We're going to set up visitations to the facility. We're going to be as involved as we can be. ...
"We've had a long partnership with Phoenix House in New York and here (in the Tampa area) so this is nothing new, but we've expanded it with the academy."
With Jeter spending his winters and springs in Tampa, he has made a point to support area causes with his foundation, including programs that steer youngsters to "achieve academic excellence, develop leadership skills and remain drug and alcohol free." The golf tournament benefits the Phoenix House, St. Peter Claver School and the Hillsborough Education Foundation.
"You try to give back and give some kids some opportunities and try to help them out because growing up can be difficult at times," Derek Jeter said. "The foundation, this is our 10th year, we've done a lot of good things, and this is something that's close to our family."
