Presenting Sponsors
.jpg)
Ya Gotta Believe in our Sponsors
Samuel Staten Sr. Charitable Trust
September 9, 2026 • 11:30 AM • Philadelphia Insurance Club "The Diamond Club"
The Philadelphia Phillies' Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
What separates elite performers when everything is on the line? It isn't physical skill or intelligence alone. It’s cognitive durability.
This September marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. On September 17, 2001, the Phillies were among the first Major League Baseball teams to take the field after that dark morning—a powerful demonstration of resilience for a grieving city. At that very moment, elite warriors were already answering the call.
On September 9th, Echoes of Resilience brings these two worlds together for an extraordinary gathering hosted by Phillies Charities Inc. and the Tug McGraw Foundation.
Featuring Elite Military Leadership & Post-9/11 Combat Operators:
Join us for a rare panel featuring three legendary military leaders: Admiral James "Sandy" Winnefeld (Ret.), former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, alongside two retired Navy SEALs hailing from DEVGRU, SEAL Team 3, and SEAL Team 7 who were among the very first boots on the ground following 9/11.
In keeping with the quiet-professional ethos of their elite community, these operators will share their firsthand experiences—including critical insights and human performance strategies from the founder of Virginia High Performance (VHP)—offering an unprecedented look at cognitive endurance under extreme pressure.
Tickets are limited. All proceeds are split evenly to support Phillies Charities Inc. and the Tug McGraw Foundation.
Reserve your Sponsorship or Spot today, bring your questions, and learn how to fortify your mind for life's toughest challenges. We look forward to seeing you!
Ya Gotta Believe
Larry Christenson
Event Chair, Former Phillies Pitcher & Friend of Tug McGraw
Jennifer Brusstar, CEO, The Tug McGraw Foundation
Michele Devicaris, Director, Community and Charity Events, Philadelphia Phillies
Photo Source: Philadelphia Phillies and Sports Illustrated
"I am honored to chair the September 9th event for Phillies Charities and the Tug McGraw Foundation. My entire 11-year major league career was spent pitching for the Phillies, a great organization. Tug was traded from the Mets to the Phillies and we met in Clearwater, FL, in the Spring of 1975. We became very good friends on and off the field, up until his last days. On January 5, 2004, Tug passed away at the age of 59 from brain cancer. I am proud to be a part of Tug’s legacy."
Larry Christenson
About the Panel
Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld (Ret.)
Sandy Winnefeld graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and served for 37 years in the United States Navy. He instructed at the Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as Top Gun, and served as senior aide-de-camp to General Colin L. Powell. He commanded a fighter squadron, the amphibious ship USS Cleveland, and the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. As a flag officer, he commanded a carrier strike group, two NATO commands, the United States Sixth Fleet, United States Northern Command, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD. He retired in 2015 after serving as the ninth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United States’ number two ranking military officer. Admiral Sandy and Mary Winnefeld founded SAFE Project in 2017 after they lost their son to an overdose. In 2020, Admiral Winnefeld was appointed to serve on the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking and was appointed Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board in 2022.
A 21-year veteran of Naval Special Warfare (DEVGRU) (name withheld) who helped pioneer the command's Human Performance Program. He founded Virginia High Performance—initially built to serve the Special Operations community—to support elite athletes, executives, and high performers looking to optimize their physical potential and maintain a competitive edge for years to come.
20-Year Veteran of SEAL Team 3 and Team 7, SQT Instructor, BUDS Instructor, Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman (name withheld) named SEAL Medic of the Year in 2002, among the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.
SECURE YOUR SPONSORSHIP AND SEATS
Only 180 tickets available — reserve your place before we sell out
To reserve your seat, sponsorships, or for further information, please contact:
Ava Talamantez, TMF Office Manager, by email: Ava@tugmcgraw.org or call 707-947-7124 or
Alison Farrell, Christenson Investment Partners, af@christensonip.com or call 610-291-2333
PAYMENT & CONTRIBUTION OPTIONS
By Check: Payable to The Tug McGraw Foundation, P.O. Box 45, Yountville, CA 94599
.
Phillies Charities, Inc. and The Tug McGraw Foundation are each 501(c)(3) public charities as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
About Us
In high-stakes environments — the battlefield, the playing field, the boardroom — the ultimate edge lies in brain resilience. That belief is what unites the two organizations behind this event, and why every dollar raised is split evenly between them.
Phillies Charities, Inc. serves as the compassionate heart of the Phillies organization, awarding millions of dollars in grants each year to nonprofits, first responders, and community heroes across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. https://www.mlb.com/phillies/community/phillies-charities
The Tug McGraw Foundation carries forward Tug’s own mission — advancing brain wellness programs and resources that improve quality of life for veterans and civilians affected by brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and post-traumatic stress (PTS). www.tugmcgraw.org
Together, these 501(c)(3) public charities reach a wide circle: the community members
Phillies Charities’ support, and the veterans, athletes, and families the Tug McGraw
Foundation serves — two missions united by one belief in the power of a resilient mind.
