COLLINSVILLE ‒ Former Indiana Pacers player Steve Stipanovich will be the featured speaker at the 16th annual Congressional Prayer Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 28, in the Gateway Center.
Serving as hosts are U.S. Reps. John Shimkus, Rodney Davis and Bill Enyart, who will issue a joint invitation to the community to join them at this annual event.
Every year, this gathering has transcended the stigma of politics and concentrated on developing a prayerful, strong and moral life, said Gary Tedrick, owner of Answer Midwest and chairman of the annual breakfast.
This year, Stipanovich will be sharing how his life changed when he learned to walk in the spirit of a loving God.
Since the beginning, the event has featured strong speakers who have been willing to share their deepest personal moments and how God was there with them the whole time, and Stipanovich is no exception,Tedrick said.
The prayer breakfast is sponsored by the CBMC and everyone is invited to attend. Tickets for the breakfast are $20 each or a table of eight for $160.
Stipanovich is a retired Indiana Pacer who played center as No. 40 throughout his career in the NBA. A native of St. Louis, Stipanovich was selected second in the 1983 draft behind Golden State's Ralph Sampson. Missing only six games in his career, Stipanovich received many honors during his 1983-1989 career with the Pacers.
With a career high of 34 points, Stipanovich was a first-team all-rookie team selection in 1984 and was a great outside shooter for his size. Ranked in the top five of the Pacers' NBA career lists in several categories, Stipanovich's career was cut short because of an injury to his left knee.
A graduate of the University of Missouri, Stipanovich was named College Player of the Year by UPI and CBS-TV, winding up his career at the college as the school's all-time leading scorer (1,836 points), rebounder (942), and shot blocker (149). He led the school to four Big 8 championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances and is a member of the university's Hall of Fame.
For information, call (618) 463-6834. Credit cards are accepted.