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Our History

About The Centurions

The Centurions is a 501c3 charitable organization, that supports Southern Arizona’s nonprofits that serve our community’s most at-risk children and their families in the areas of healthcare, education, and mentoring. We maintain a membership of 100 Active Members and 250+ total Members who are among Southern Arizona’s most prominent business and civic leaders. Founded in 1968 as a support group of St. Mary’s Hospital, the Centurions name was chosen to honor the one hundred years of service given to Southern Arizona by Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital. The name further reflects the members’ focus on business and civic leadership in the community by the historical reference to the Roman Centurion, a leader of 100 soldiers.

In 1970 the group organized its first fundraising effort to help raise money for St. Mary’s Burn Center which, at that time, was in dire need of support. Through the efforts of the Centurions and the generosity of the Tucson community, the Burn Center gradually became the preeminent burn rehabilitation facility in the Southwest.

In the 45 years that followed The Centurions directed their fund raising efforts to a wide variety of St Mary’s and Carondelet’s projects culminating in a $2 million dollar gift for the “Fulfilling the Promise” Capital Campaign.

In 2014, the Centurions reorganized and expanded its giving to include other organizations in the community that support our mission, including:

Assistance League of Tucson
Autism Society of Southern Arizona
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
Boys to Men
Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona
Courtney’s Courage
Crafting Kind Kids
Engage Foundation
Grace Retreat Foster Care & Adoption Services
Imago Dei Middle School
Literacy Connects
Parent Aid
SAAVI
San Miguel High School
Stand Up For Kids
TMC for Children
Tu Nidito
Tucson Youth Music
YOTO

Past Events

2024
CENTURIONS MAY THE FOURTH [Chair: Andy Brown; Tucson Convention Center]
2023
FAST TIMES AT CENTURIONS HIGH [Chair: Eric Jacobson; Kino Sports Complex]
2022
THE GREAT CENTURIONS CARNIVAL {Chair: Steve Vorholzer; Kino Sports Complex]
2021
THE GREAT CENTURIONS ROCK OF 80s [Chair: Tom Miller; Kino Sports Complex]
2019
PEACE, LOVE, CENTURIONS [Chair: Don Coleman; Kino Sports Complex]
2018
SPLISH SPLASH BEACH BASH [Chair: Steve Shepherd; Kino Sports Complex]
2017
AN OZ-SOME EXPERINECE! A DING DONG DOOZIE OF A DO [Chair: LaMonte Hunley; Kino Sports Complex]
2016
COMIC CON CAPER [Chair: Joe Dhuey; Downtown Tucson]
2015
THE GREAT DISCO BALL [Chair: Tony Poe; Rillito Race track]
2014
THE GREAT NEANDERTHAL BASH [Chair: Ron Teaney; Rillito Race Track]
2013
THE GREAT OUTLAW BROUHAHA [Chair: Toby Allen; Tucson Rodeo Grounds]
2012
THE GREAT MASQUERADE ESCAPE [Chair: Bill Hussey; Downtown Tucson, 5th & Congress]
2011
THE GREAT PROHIBITION EXPOSITION [Chair: Stan Spackeen; Downtown Tucson, 5th & Congress]
2010
THE GREAT PAJAMA RAMA [Chair: Chip Yetzer; Tucson Electric Park]
2009
CENTURION SATURDAY NIGHT, NO MORE BLUES BROTHER! [Chair: Mike Furrier; Tucson Electric Park]
2008
THE GREAT PARROTHEAD BALL [Chair: Jan Fiakas; Tucson Electric Park]
2007
THE 007 EVENT: A BOND VOYAGE WITH A LICENSE TO CHILL [Chair: Michael Osborne; Tucson Electric Park]
2006
VIVA LAS VEGAS! [Chair: Scott Carnes; Tucson Electric Park]
2005
PIRATES OF THE CATALINAS [Chair: Jack Harris; Tucson Electric Park]
2004
A WEST OF THE PECOS FRACAS [Chair: Chris Kemmerly; Rillito Race Track]
2003
THE GREAT REGGAE MELEE! [Chair: Neal Preimesberger; Pima County Fairgrounds]
2002
HEROES & HEROINES [Chair: Peter Backus; Tucson Electric Park]
2001
MARDI GRAS - THE RAGIN CAJUN OCCASION [Chair: Bob Kline; Tucson Electric Park]
2000
TOGA 2000 [Chair: Bill Assenmacher; Tucson Electric Park]
1999
ROCK AT WOODSTOCK [Chair: Alan Michaels; Tucson Electric Park]
1998
THE GREAT BASE BALL [Chair: Jim Rohen; Tucson Electric Park]
1997
SAFARI SO GOODIE [Chair: T.K. Warfield; Hi Corbett Field]
1996
THE GREAT MARATHON DECATHLON [Chair: Tony Mellor; Sportspark]
1995
THE GREAT SILVER SCREEN MOVIE CHARACTER SCENE [Chair: Ken Sarnoski; Hi Corbett Field]
1994
THE GREAT SILVER ANNIVERSARY EVENT [Chair: Gale Bundrick; Hi Corbett Field]
1993
THE GREAT OUTERSPACE DISGRACE [Chair: Bruce Beach; Gates Learjet Hangar]
1992
THE GREAT SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN COMMOTION [Chair: Guy Bittner; Hi Corbett Field]
1991
THE GREAT RAUCOUS CAUCUS DEBAUCUS [Chair: Mike Leverenz; Tucson Convention Center]
1990
THE LATE & GREAT ROCK N ROLL ESTATE {Chair: Glenn Luglan; Hi Corbett Field]
1989
THE GREAT WILD & WOOLY WESTERN WOUND-UP! [Chair: Bill Kordsiemon; Old Tucson]
1988
THE GREAT TIMES SQUARE AFFAIR [Chair: Dave Henry; Williams Center]
1987
THE GREAT WHITE HAT & DIRTY RAT FORMAT [Chair: Brian Harpel; Pima County Fairgrounds]
1986
THE GREAT DOWNTOWN CLOWN AROUND [Chair: Mike Dehen; Tucson Community Center]
1985
THE GREAT FUNNY PAPER CAPER [Chair: Jim Ronstadt; Hi Corbett Field]
1984
THE GREAT FLYING MACHINE SCENE [Chair: Bill Hanson; Gates Learjet Hanger]
1983
DRAGONS & FLAGONS [Chair: Charlie O'Dowd; Downtown Underground Parking Garage]
1982
THE REAL STING [Chair: Loring Green; Rillito Race Track]
1981
THE GREAT DAISY MAE MELEE [Chair: Rod Freeman; Tucson Rodeo Grounds]
1980
THE GREAT CAESARS SEIZURE CELEBRATION [Chair: Wally Burg; Hi Corbett Field]
1979
THE GREAT M*A*S*H BASH [Chair: Lynn Marvel; Pima Air Museum]
1978
THE GREAT TRAIN JUNCTION FUNCTION [Chair: Joe Hernandez; Tucson Train Station]
1977
THE GREAT KING KONG CAPER [Chair: Tim Rooker; Great Western Bank Building]
1976
THE GREAT WING DING AIRPORT PARTY [Chair: Mel Robbins; Tucson International Airport]
1975
THE GREAT DEPRESSION PARTY OF 1975 [Chair: Mel Robbins; Tucson Community Center]
1974
THE GREAT GATSBY [Chair: Paul Baker; El Dorado Movie Theater]
1971
PREMIER SHOWING OF CABARET - A THEATRE PARTY [Catalina Theater]
1970
PROFESSIONAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT [Cactus Lanes]

“Amazing group of local business and civic leaders”

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About Our Annual Fundraising Events

The Centurions put on Southern Arizona’s best and largest party, which is also the largest one-day fundraising event in town. We have raised more than $8.8 million in charitable donations to-date.

Our annual Events help fund Southern Arizona charities that provide services to underserved community members in the areas of healthcare, education, and mentorship with an emphasis on improving children’s lives.

The Centurions’ annual theme parties are also well-known for the fun they raise through spectacular set design, costume contests, casino gambling for charity, games, dancing to live music, raffle prizes, superb food and drinks, and more. All net proceeds are returned to local charities.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT EVENT: MAY 4, 2024!
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