Benson, Fritz, Ausberry, Curtis, Dizer to speak August 29 at Greater New Orleans QB Club Kickoff Luncheon

The 85th year of the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club, presented by the Lamarque Motor Company, debuts on Tuesday, August 29 at noon at The Cannery on 3803 Toulouse Street in New Orleans with a stellar panel of speakers:

New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans principal owner Gayle Benson
Tulane head football coach Willie Fritz
LSU Executive Deputy Athletic Director/Executive Director of External Relations Verge Ausberry
John Curtis Christian head coach J.T. Curtis
St. Martin’s Episcopal head coach Kevin Dizer

Mrs. Benson serves as owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, among many successful business ventures.

A native of New Orleans, Benson is a generous, highly respected philanthropist and business professional.

In NFL circles, Mrs. Benson serves on the Audit, Business Ventures and Hall of Fame Committees and played a huge role in helping New Orleans land Super Bowl LIX, to be played in Caesars Superdome in 2025.

In NBA circles, Mrs. Benson serves as a member of the Labor Relations Committee and was named to the NBA Foundation Board of Directors in 2020.

Mrs. Benson also owns GMB Racing Stables and three automotive dealerships, along with Faubourg Brewing Company.
A woman of deep faith, Benson has also contributed to many faith-based organizations and initiatives and is most prominently involved in the restoration project for the St. Louis Cathedral.

Entering his eighth season as the head coach at Tulane, Willie Fritz led Tulane to a marvelous, unforgettable 2022 season as Tulane went 12-2, won the American Athletic Conference and upset USC in the Cotton Bowl. Tulane finished ninth in the nation in the final Associated Press and Coaches’ polls.

Previously with the program, Fritz led the Green Wave to three consecutive bowl games from 2018-20. The four bowl appearances are the most by any coach in Tulane history.

Fritz previously served as the head coach at Blinn College, Central Missouri, Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern and has amassed an impressive record of 197-114.

A native of New Iberia, Ausberry is in his 22nd year working at his alma mater. Ausberry was part of two SEC championship teams and four bowl teams as a linebacker at LSU. In his current role, Ausberry is responsible for formalized planning and processes for the athletic department and daily operations.

Ausberry also serves as the sport administrator for football and basketball and as a liaison for the Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU Properties and the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes while also serving as Executive Director of External Relations for the LSU System, assisting the Office of the President in external and governmental affairs.

In 2018, Ausberry was recognized as the LSU National L Club Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

Entering his 55th year as head coach at the school which bears his family name, Curtis is the most celebrated coach in Louisiana prep football history, leading the Patriots to 28 state championships, by far the most in state history. Curtis has also amassed 615 wins and is poised to become the winningest coach in United States prep football history, needed just six wins to tie the record and seven to surpass it. The Patriots are the defending Select Division I state champion.

Curtis has already been inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana College Sports Hall of Fame.

Entering his first year as the head coach at St. Martin’s, Dizer served as a top assistant to Frank Gendusa in 2022 as the Saints made their first trip to the state semifinals.

Dizer previously served as the head coach at Riverside Academy from 2018-2021. Before that, he served as an assistant at Belhaven, where he played wide receiver, and at his high school alma mater Sterlington High, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track.

The Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club is grateful to Ronnie Lamarque for his continued support of local football with his presenting sponsorship for the second straight year.

The Metairie law firm of Nicaud & Sunseri and Doug Sunseri is sponsoring the Quarterback Club Scholar/Athlete award for a second consecutive year as well.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl returns as the sponsor of the Prep Player of the Week and the year-end award recipients for tenth consecutive year.

Crescent City Sports is the official media sponsor and management entity of the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club where notice of all meetings are posted regularly.

The Club will meet once per month through December 12, when the annual awards luncheon will take place with all meetings to take place at The Cannery. Lunch is included at each meeting. The second annual Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Baseball Bash, featuring all area college baseball coaches, will take place in January.

The cost weekly is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, which includes lunch. Annual membership is just $25. To purchase tickets for the August meeting online, click here.

For more information, contact Stan Kottemann by phone or at skotlaw@aol.com.