Sports Stars and Entertainers Connect for Charity at Coach Woodson Invitational in Las Vegas

Many professional athletes and entertainers recently came together in Las Vegas for the 4th annual Coach Woodson Las Vegas Invitational, the ultimate luxury weekend, hosted by Los Angeles Clippers Assistant Coach Mike Woodson.

The three-day event—which features golf tournament, a youth basketball clinic and a women’s tea—is highlighted by the star-studded Woodson Gala & Red Carpet, which was held at 1 OAK in The Mirage Hotel and Casino.

Hosted by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, and professional golfer and fashion designer Seema Sadekar, the Woodson Gala featured presentations, speeches, dancing and a special performance by saxophonist Mike Phillips and R&B singer Carl Thomas.

Guests at the gala included actor Chris Tucker, Wanda Durant, mom of NBA superstar Kevin Durant; retired NFL wide receiver Andre Reed, actor Flex Alexander, Tanya Thicke, comedian Alex Thomas, HGTV’s Property Brothers, retired NY Knicks guard John Starks, singer Jeffrey Osborne and baseball hall-of-famer Kenny Lofton.

A portion of the Coach Woodson Las Vegas Invitational benefits Nations of Coaches, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing coaches together through guidance and knowledge in order to create better players and coaches, in addition to other charities.

“Four years and running and we’re growing every year,” said Coach Mike Woodson. “The celebrity list gets bigger. It’s all about networking and raising money for good causes.”

The weekend also featured The FENDI Fashion Experience, held at the Fendi store at the Bellagio. Opening ceremonies were held at Cascata Golf Club where gospel singer Brian Courtney Wilson sang the national anthem in addition to the all-white outfit affair “Tea With Terri,” hosted by Coach Woodson’s wife, Terri.

Among the charities that stand to benefit from the Woodson Invitational’s donations include Safe Nest, which is devoted to domestic violence issues.

“It has grown a lot,” Terri Woodson said of the Invitational’s annual tea, which she says is about “women coming together. It’s like a family affair.”

Visit the Coach Woodson Invitational website for more information.

Human Nature video and photos from the Woodson Invitational Gala are below.