Tom Glavine, former Atlanta Braves ace, will be keynote speaker at the All Sports Association banquet

FORT WALTON BEACH – This year’s keynote speaker meets for Carter Zorn very closely.

Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, the next MLB team was The Braves and “The Big Three” of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux. Of course, Zorn became a fan and was tied to TBS all summer and during the 1995 World Series.

Now, suggest the president of the All Sports Association has its advantages.

As does the ASA, which donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits and supports youth athletics.

Glavine, a two-time Cy Young winner and first-round Hall of Famer, will be the keynote speaker for the All Sports Association 2022 banquet.

“It had never crossed my mind to meet him in person,” said Zorn. “I am on fire.”

As every year, there is a nomination process with well-known coaches, athletes and analysts, including the previous keynote speakers Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Tim Tebow.

“We started with many names and worked our way through many names based on the schedule, availability and the right fit for our club. But we kept coming back to Tom,” said Zorn, who found Glavine had a house in Rosemary Beach has.

“He has a distinguished reputation and a long history of community service and philanthropy. He also continues the tradition of really great speakers and is our club’s mission.”

Of course, Glavine is just a draw on a night when the banquet is returning to its roots.

Yeah, I said banquet. After moving to NWF State College last year for a star-studded awards ceremony with keynote speaker Herschel Walker, this turns 52 and free flowing drinks.

“We had some people who said they missed getting up, walking around the room and talking to everyone,” Zorn said. “We have decided to go back to tradition.”

With an ace up your sleeve, an unforgettable night awaits you.

Keynote speaker at the association banquet

(In order of the newest)

Tom Glavine

Herschel Walker

Bo Jackson

Tim Tebow

Herm Edwards

Mark Richt

Jimbo fisherman

Peter Rose

Kirk Herbstreit

Deion Sanders

Nick Saban

Jim Kelly

Annika Sorenstam

Paul Hornung

Steve Spurrier

Johnny Bank

Dale Brown

Ken Staller

Lee Corso

Archie Manning

Bobby Bowden

Gene stallings

Rocky Bleier

Don Sutton

Mike Ditka

Danny Würffel

Alex Hawkins

Tommy Lasorda

Roy Flintstone

Joe Theismann

Joe Paterno

Terry Bradshaw

George Plimpton

Lewis Grizzard

Dick Butkus

George Blanda

Macaw Parsegian

Lou Holtz

Herbal Rating

Justin Wilson

Jerry Clower

Dutch Van Buskirk

Don Meredith

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Follow sports editor Seth Stringer on Twitter at @SethSnwfdn.