DALLAS (SMU) – The inaugural Eric Dickerson All-Star Invitational has been rescheduled for September 30 – October 1, 2016, the Eric Dickerson Foundation and SMU Athletics announced Monday. The event was rescheduled from the original mid-summer July 30 – August 1 date to better suit major sponsors and to maximize participation of the Kids-U students following the start of schools. This event is a partnership between the Eric Dickerson Foundation and SMU Athletics and will include a one-day football camp hosted by Dickerson and other former NFL Stars and SMU Greats, a gala dinner and auction, and a one-day pro-am golf event.

The Eric Dickerson All-Star Invitational & All-Star Football Day is a partnership between the Eric Dickerson Foundation and SMU athletics. This event will be held in Dallas September 30 – October 1, 2016, and is set to include an All-Star Football Day at SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium on Saturday October 1st. The 3-hour camp, which will welcome approximately 300 students (ages 8-13) to the Hilltop, will be hosted by SMU alumnus Eric Dickerson and other NFL Greats, including Marcus Allen, Lawrence Taylor, Emmitt Smith, and Ronnie Lott. In addition, a pro-am golf tournament will be held at Dallas Athletic Club on Friday, September 30th, to be followed by a gala dinner and auction. Each foursome of golfers will be paired with a former NFL or SMU great as their fifth player.

"It has been over 20 years since I hosted an event in Dallas, which was my home away from home during my time at SMU," said Dickerson. "I have wanted to come back and host an event and give back to this community. I would like to thank SMU for partnering with me on this event and I am looking forward to helping SMU and the kids of Dallas." The proceeds from the festivities will benefit the Eric Dickerson Foundation, Kids-U and SMU Football.

About Eric Dickerson:

Dickerson played at SMU from 1979 to 1982 and was a member of the heralded "Pony Express". While at SMU, Dickerson rushed for 4,450 yards, was named a Consensus All-American in 1982, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982.

Eric was selected second overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. An immediate success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and rushing touchdowns (18), along with another two receiving touchdowns. His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

In his second season, Dickerson continued his onslaught on the NFL record book, rushing for over 2000 yards on the season. In 1984, he gained more than 100 yards rushing in 12 separate games, breaking the record for 100-yard games in a season previously held by O.J. Simpson. His 2,105 total yards rushing also set a new record for rushing yards in a season, a record which still stands today. Dickerson retired from the NFL as the 2nd all-time leading rusher, and in 1999 he was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

About The Eric Dickerson Foundation:

The Eric Dickerson Foundation is committed to providing positive influences through youth sports, education and leadership by building community partnerships with other non-profit organizations, schools and military services. The Eric Dickerson Foundation strives to develop the nation's youth into resilient leaders of tomorrow by encouragement, perseverance and the importance of giving back to their communities. 

The Eric Dickerson Foundation has a long history of raising funds for donation to youth schools prior to focusing on the Camp Pendleton Free Military Youth Football and Cheer Camp as one of its main events. 

About Kids-U:

Kids-U (Kids University) was established in 2002 to address one of the most profound problems in Dallas: children not completing their education. Kids-U provides onsite programming (in low-income apartment communities) designed to enhance the lives of at-risk children by focusing on the social, educational, personal, and environmental barriers preventing at-risk children from being successful academically and beyond. Learn more at www.kids-u.org.

If you would like more information about the Eric Dickerson Invitational, please contact Gene Stunkel at 702-856-4600 or email at gstunkel@eventiausa.com. Registration for this event is available online.