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 The name further reflects the members’ focus on business and civic leadership in the community by the historical reference to the Roman Centurion, a leader of 100 soldiers.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
CENTURIONS MAY THE FOURTH [Chair: Andy Brown; Tucson Convention Center]
FAST TIMES AT CENTURIONS HIGH [Chair: Eric Jacobson; Kino Sports Complex]
THE GREAT CENTURIONS CARNIVAL {Chair: Steve Vorholzer; Kino Sports Complex]
THE GREAT CENTURIONS ROCK OF 80s [Chair: Tom Miller; Kino Sports Complex]
PEACE, LOVE, CENTURIONS [Chair: Don Coleman; Kino Sports Complex]
SPLISH SPLASH BEACH BASH [Chair: Steve Shepherd; Kino Sports Complex]
AN OZ-SOME EXPERINECE! A DING DONG DOOZIE OF A DO [Chair: LaMonte Hunley; Kino Sports Complex]
COMIC CON CAPER [Chair: Joe Dhuey; Downtown Tucson]
THE GREAT DISCO BALL [Chair: Tony Poe; Rillito Race track]
THE GREAT NEANDERTHAL BASH [Chair: Ron Teaney; Rillito Race Track]
THE GREAT OUTLAW BROUHAHA [Chair: Toby Allen; Tucson Rodeo Grounds]
THE GREAT MASQUERADE ESCAPE [Chair: Bill Hussey; Downtown Tucson, 5th & Congress]
THE GREAT PROHIBITION EXPOSITION [Chair: Stan Spackeen; Downtown Tucson, 5th & Congress]
THE GREAT PAJAMA RAMA [Chair: Chip Yetzer; Tucson Electric Park]
CENTURION SATURDAY NIGHT, NO MORE BLUES BROTHER! [Chair: Mike Furrier; Tucson Electric Park]
THE GREAT PARROTHEAD BALL [Chair: Jan Fiakas; Tucson Electric Park]
THE 007 EVENT: A BOND VOYAGE WITH A LICENSE TO CHILL [Chair: Michael Osborne; Tucson Electric Park]
VIVA LAS VEGAS! [Chair: Scott Carnes; Tucson Electric Park]
PIRATES OF THE CATALINAS [Chair: Jack Harris; Tucson Electric Park]
A WEST OF THE PECOS FRACAS [Chair: Chris Kemmerly; Rillito Race Track]
THE GREAT REGGAE MELEE! [Chair: Neal Preimesberger; Pima County Fairgrounds]
HEROES & HEROINES [Chair: Peter Backus; Tucson Electric Park]
MARDI GRAS - THE RAGIN CAJUN OCCASION [Chair: Bob Kline; Tucson Electric Park]
TOGA 2000 [Chair: Bill Assenmacher; Tucson Electric Park]
ROCK AT WOODSTOCK [Chair: Alan Michaels; Tucson Electric Park]
THE GREAT BASE BALL [Chair: Jim Rohen; Tucson Electric Park]
SAFARI SO GOODIE [Chair: T.K. Warfield; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT MARATHON DECATHLON [Chair: Tony Mellor; Sportspark]
THE GREAT SILVER SCREEN MOVIE CHARACTER SCENE [Chair: Ken Sarnoski; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT SILVER ANNIVERSARY EVENT [Chair: Gale Bundrick; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT OUTERSPACE DISGRACE [Chair: Bruce Beach; Gates Learjet Hangar]
THE GREAT SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN COMMOTION [Chair: Guy Bittner; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT RAUCOUS CAUCUS DEBAUCUS [Chair: Mike Leverenz; Tucson Convention Center]
THE LATE & GREAT ROCK N ROLL ESTATE {Chair: Glenn Luglan; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT WILD & WOOLY WESTERN WOUND-UP! [Chair: Bill Kordsiemon; Old Tucson]
THE GREAT TIMES SQUARE AFFAIR [Chair: Dave Henry; Williams Center]
THE GREAT WHITE HAT & DIRTY RAT FORMAT [Chair: Brian Harpel; Pima County Fairgrounds]
THE GREAT DOWNTOWN CLOWN AROUND [Chair: Mike Dehen; Tucson Community Center]
THE GREAT FUNNY PAPER CAPER [Chair: Jim Ronstadt; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT FLYING MACHINE SCENE [Chair: Bill Hanson; Gates Learjet Hanger]
DRAGONS & FLAGONS [Chair: Charlie O'Dowd; Downtown Underground Parking Garage]
THE REAL STING [Chair: Loring Green; Rillito Race Track]
THE GREAT DAISY MAE MELEE [Chair: Rod Freeman; Tucson Rodeo Grounds]
THE GREAT CAESARS SEIZURE CELEBRATION [Chair: Wally Burg; Hi Corbett Field]
THE GREAT M*A*S*H BASH [Chair: Lynn Marvel; Pima Air Museum]
THE GREAT TRAIN JUNCTION FUNCTION [Chair: Joe Hernandez; Tucson Train Station]
THE GREAT KING KONG CAPER [Chair: Tim Rooker; Great Western Bank Building]
THE GREAT WING DING AIRPORT PARTY [Chair: Mel Robbins; Tucson International Airport]
THE GREAT DEPRESSION PARTY OF 1975 [Chair: Mel Robbins; Tucson Community Center]
THE GREAT GATSBY [Chair: Paul Baker; El Dorado Movie Theater]
PREMIER SHOWING OF CABARET - A THEATRE PARTY [Catalina Theater]
PROFESSIONAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT [Cactus Lanes]
“Amazing group of local business and civic leaders”
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.