Merril Hoge | Prolebrity

Athlete Summary

Merril Hoge

NFL - Retired - Running Back

Merril Hoge is a former NFL running back who played eight seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, retiring after the 1994 season. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN television.

Merril’s Events


2009 Hoge Starks Ward Celebrity Golf Classic for Children Monday, May 18, 2009 Details »	Pittsburgh, PA (412) 544-1679 Website
Description Since 1994, the Hoge Starks Ward Celebrity Golf Classic for Children has raised more than $1,825,000 for children in need. Former Steelers player Merril Hoge, along with current Steelers Max Starks and Hines Ward, invite Steelers coaches and players, and other celebrities, to golf with foursomes from the area and from across the country to raise awareness and funds for programs of the Highmark Caring Foundation. The 2009 Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 18. The cost for a foursome to play in the Classic is $3,000. Contact us at the number below for more information, or if you would like to reserve a foursome. Support for children through the Celebrity Golf Classic can also be provided by participation as an Underwriter, a Patron, or a Signage donor. Through donations at many levels from $7,000 to $300, and with a range of recognition for individuals or companies, including signage, advertisements in the Classic's program book or various other marketing opportunities, the Hoge Starks Ward Celebrity Golf Classic for Children offers many opportunities to work with Steelers players and coaches to help support children in need. For more information please contact us at (412) 544-1679 or HSWgolf@highmark.com.
Description

Merril’s Charities


Highmark Caring Foundation Map It »	620 Stanwix Street Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 (888) 224-4673 Website
Description [Former Pittsburgh Steeler Merril Hoge has been Chairman of the Board of the Highmark Caring Foundation since 1999.] The Highmark Caring Foundation has been a champion for children for more than twenty years, working to identify the unmet needs of children in our community, and to create innovative programs to meet those needs. An affiliate of Highmark, the Highmark Caring Foundation operates as a charitable organization that has been committed since 1985 to caring for children in need in Western Pennsylvania, and more recently in Central Pennsylvania. The Highmark Caring Foundation provides support to children and their families, listening and responding to the needs of the underserved, at-risk and vulnerable populations. GRIEVING CHILDREN Meeting the needs of grieving children and families through the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, at sites in Pittsburgh, Erie and outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS Prioritizing children with special health care needs and their families through the Caring Program: Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families. UNINSURED CHILDREN Having established the pioneering Caring Program for Children—the first private sector program in the nation focusing on the needs of uninsured children, which served as the model for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Highmark Caring Foundation is a non-profit organization, supported by the Highmark Foundation through its initiative, Highmark Healthy High 5, as well as by community contributions that are matched by Highmark. "The heart of the Caring Foundation is its commitment to children in need."
Description



Highmark Caring Place [Central PA] Map It »	3 Walnut Street, Suite 200 Lemoyne, PA, 17043 (866) 613-4673 Website
Description [Former Pittsburgh Steeler Merril Hoge has been Chairman of the Board of the Highmark Caring Foundation since 1999.] THE FOCUS OF THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE The Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, is dedicated to grieving children and families, working to ensure that they find hope. The Caring Place champions the cause of grieving children by creating awareness of their needs, providing programs for grieving children and families and empowering the community to effectively serve grieving children. The Caring Place was started in 1996, with the first Caring Place facility established in Pittsburgh in 1997. Now with sites in Erie (2001) and just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (2003), the Caring Place has served more than 15,000 family members and community members. The Caring Place: Helps children (and adults) know they're not alone in their grief. Provides peer support to children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Provides a safe place with safe people so that the children can share their grief, their feelings and their memories. Is a place where grieving children and families receive support and encouragement from others their age and from trained adult volunteers. Helps children build and keep memories of the person who died. Encourages children to express their feelings, memories and thoughts even when these are difficult to express. The Caring Place is family-centered. Services are provided at no cost to the families. The Caring Place is a community service, available to the whole community. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE AS A PART OF THE HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION The Caring Place is a program of the Highmark Caring Foundation, which is an affiliate of Highmark Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania. HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION MISSION The Caring Foundation exists to make a difference for those in need — especially children and the uninsured. The Caring Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for children in need and their families. The Caring Foundation creates innovative models that change systems of care for children and the uninsured. The heart of the Caring Foundation is its commitment to children in need — children who are uninsured, grieving the death of a loved one or facing the challenge of a special health care need. FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1. Identify an unmet need for children in the community. 2. Champion the cause and advocate for children in need. 3. Serve as a catalyst for change. 4. Create innovative programs that can be replicated or driven to scale. 5. Build partnerships and mobilize the community to work together to help children in need. The Highmark Caring Foundation has been committed since 1985 to caring for those in need: 1. Listening and responding to the needs of the underserved, at-risk and vulnerable populations. 2. Uninsured Children — Serving the uninsured through the pioneering Caring Program for Children—the first private sector program in the nation focusing on the needs of uninsured children—and now administering Pennsylvania's CHIP and adultBasic programs. 3. Grieving Children — Meeting the needs of grieving children and families through the Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, at sites in Pittsburgh, Erie and Central Pennsylvania. 4. Special Needs Children — Prioritizing children with special health care needs and their families and creating a care coordination model of care. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE SUPPORTED BY THE CARING TEAM A consistent long-term supporter of the Caring Place is the Caring Team for Children, a special team of hundreds of schools, businesses and community partners that work together to raise funds and increase community awareness for the needs of children. Since 1989, this partnership of 450 schools, professional sports teams, corporations and many others has raised awareness along with more than $4.5 million for children in need. The Caring Team provides a fun way for schools to help children and families in their own school districts and communities while offering school teachers and administrators a way to teach students about the importance of teamwork and helping others. Caring Team faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to tour Caring Place facilities to help educate students and teachers about children's grief while school personnel can receive written educational resources about the needs of grieving children.
Description



Highmark Caring Place [Northwestern PA] Map It »	510 Cranberry Street, Bayview Office Park, Building 2 Erie, PA, 16507 (866) 212-4673 Website
Description [Former Pittsburgh Steeler Merril Hoge has been Chairman of the Board of the Highmark Caring Foundation since 1999.] THE FOCUS OF THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE The Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, is dedicated to grieving children and families, working to ensure that they find hope. The Caring Place champions the cause of grieving children by creating awareness of their needs, providing programs for grieving children and families and empowering the community to effectively serve grieving children. The Caring Place was started in 1996, with the first Caring Place facility established in Pittsburgh in 1997. Now with sites in Erie (2001) and just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (2003), the Caring Place has served more than 15,000 family members and community members. The Caring Place: Helps children (and adults) know they're not alone in their grief. Provides peer support to children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Provides a safe place with safe people so that the children can share their grief, their feelings and their memories. Is a place where grieving children and families receive support and encouragement from others their age and from trained adult volunteers. Helps children build and keep memories of the person who died. Encourages children to express their feelings, memories and thoughts even when these are difficult to express. The Caring Place is family-centered. Services are provided at no cost to the families. The Caring Place is a community service, available to the whole community. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE AS A PART OF THE HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION The Caring Place is a program of the Highmark Caring Foundation, which is an affiliate of Highmark Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania. HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION MISSION The Caring Foundation exists to make a difference for those in need — especially children and the uninsured. The Caring Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for children in need and their families. The Caring Foundation creates innovative models that change systems of care for children and the uninsured. The heart of the Caring Foundation is its commitment to children in need — children who are uninsured, grieving the death of a loved one or facing the challenge of a special health care need. FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1. Identify an unmet need for children in the community. 2. Champion the cause and advocate for children in need. 3. Serve as a catalyst for change. 4. Create innovative programs that can be replicated or driven to scale. 5. Build partnerships and mobilize the community to work together to help children in need. The Highmark Caring Foundation has been committed since 1985 to caring for those in need: 1. Listening and responding to the needs of the underserved, at-risk and vulnerable populations. 2. Uninsured Children — Serving the uninsured through the pioneering Caring Program for Children—the first private sector program in the nation focusing on the needs of uninsured children—and now administering Pennsylvania's CHIP and adultBasic programs. 3. Grieving Children — Meeting the needs of grieving children and families through the Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, at sites in Pittsburgh, Erie and Central Pennsylvania. 4. Special Needs Children — Prioritizing children with special health care needs and their families and creating a care coordination model of care. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE SUPPORTED BY THE CARING TEAM A consistent long-term supporter of the Caring Place is the Caring Team for Children, a special team of hundreds of schools, businesses and community partners that work together to raise funds and increase community awareness for the needs of children. Since 1989, this partnership of 450 schools, professional sports teams, corporations and many others has raised awareness along with more than $4.5 million for children in need. The Caring Team provides a fun way for schools to help children and families in their own school districts and communities while offering school teachers and administrators a way to teach students about the importance of teamwork and helping others. Caring Team faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to tour Caring Place facilities to help educate students and teachers about children's grief while school personnel can receive written educational resources about the needs of grieving children.
Description



Highmark Caring Place [Southwestern PA] Map It »	620 Stanwix Street Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 (888) 224-4673 Website
Description [Former Pittsburgh Steeler Merril Hoge has been Chairman of the Board of the Highmark Caring Foundation since 1999.] THE FOCUS OF THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE The Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, is dedicated to grieving children and families, working to ensure that they find hope. The Caring Place champions the cause of grieving children by creating awareness of their needs, providing programs for grieving children and families and empowering the community to effectively serve grieving children. The Caring Place was started in 1996, with the first Caring Place facility established in Pittsburgh in 1997. Now with sites in Erie (2001) and just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (2003), the Caring Place has served more than 15,000 family members and community members. The Caring Place: Helps children (and adults) know they're not alone in their grief. Provides peer support to children and families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Provides a safe place with safe people so that the children can share their grief, their feelings and their memories. Is a place where grieving children and families receive support and encouragement from others their age and from trained adult volunteers. Helps children build and keep memories of the person who died. Encourages children to express their feelings, memories and thoughts even when these are difficult to express. The Caring Place is family-centered. Services are provided at no cost to the families. The Caring Place is a community service, available to the whole community. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE AS A PART OF THE HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION The Caring Place is a program of the Highmark Caring Foundation, which is an affiliate of Highmark Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania. HIGHMARK CARING FOUNDATION MISSION The Caring Foundation exists to make a difference for those in need — especially children and the uninsured. The Caring Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for children in need and their families. The Caring Foundation creates innovative models that change systems of care for children and the uninsured. The heart of the Caring Foundation is its commitment to children in need — children who are uninsured, grieving the death of a loved one or facing the challenge of a special health care need. FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1. Identify an unmet need for children in the community. 2. Champion the cause and advocate for children in need. 3. Serve as a catalyst for change. 4. Create innovative programs that can be replicated or driven to scale. 5. Build partnerships and mobilize the community to work together to help children in need. The Highmark Caring Foundation has been committed since 1985 to caring for those in need: 1. Listening and responding to the needs of the underserved, at-risk and vulnerable populations. 2. Uninsured Children — Serving the uninsured through the pioneering Caring Program for Children—the first private sector program in the nation focusing on the needs of uninsured children—and now administering Pennsylvania's CHIP and adultBasic programs. 3. Grieving Children — Meeting the needs of grieving children and families through the Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, at sites in Pittsburgh, Erie and Central Pennsylvania. 4. Special Needs Children — Prioritizing children with special health care needs and their families and creating a care coordination model of care. THE HIGHMARK CARING PLACE SUPPORTED BY THE CARING TEAM A consistent long-term supporter of the Caring Place is the Caring Team for Children, a special team of hundreds of schools, businesses and community partners that work together to raise funds and increase community awareness for the needs of children. Since 1989, this partnership of 450 schools, professional sports teams, corporations and many others has raised awareness along with more than $4.5 million for children in need. The Caring Team provides a fun way for schools to help children and families in their own school districts and communities while offering school teachers and administrators a way to teach students about the importance of teamwork and helping others. Caring Team faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to tour Caring Place facilities to help educate students and teachers about children's grief while school personnel can receive written educational resources about the needs of grieving children.
Description

Personal Information

	Website:	http://www.merrilhoge.com/
	Birthday:	January 26, 1965 (Pocatello, ID)

Professional Highlights

	Sport:	Football
	Team(s):	Chicago Bears (1994) Pittsburgh Steelers (1987 - 1993)
	Position(s):	Running Back / Fullback
	Draft Pick:	1987 / Round: 10 / Pick: 261
	College:	Idaho State University
	High School:	Highland High School (Pocatello, ID)

Chargers Must Pressure Peyton

January 2, 2009

As I went back to look at the tape from the first matchup, it was very interesting what the Chargers were doing. Read More » | Write a Comment »

Giants Offense Leads the Pack

November 19, 2008

If you have been following the Giants, you know one thing is for sure, when you watch their offense, they can run the ball with power. Read More » | Write a Comment »

Rookie Ryan Has Veteran Performance

November 14, 2008

Matt Ryan looked like a veteran against the Panthers. And the times he impressed me the most were when people were around him. Read More » | Write a Comment »

Analyzing 0’s

November 13, 2008

Steelers Offense: What is wrong with Ben? That is what everyone wants to know, well I really felt a lot of it had to do with getting hit and yes, it could have something to do with it, but here is why I spend 60 hours a week watching tape on this league. Read More » | Write a Comment »

The Tape Doesn’t Lie

October 29, 2008

All you hear out of NYC is Brett, Brett and Brett. Well, do not sleep on this Jets D, they are slowly getting better. And, things just keep getting worse for the Cowboys. What I saw in the game vs. the Giants made my stomach turn. Read More » | (1) Comment »

Dallas O: Cowboy Up

October 28, 2008

The Dallas Cowboy offense has spiraled downward so fast without Tony Romo and Felix Jones. I just finished watching the tape of Cowboys vs. Bucs, and their entire offense is Marion Barber breaking tackles. Read More » | Write a Comment »

Keeping Hope Alive

October 13, 2008

I was in NYC all week finishing an educational DVD for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was diagnosed six years ago and still remember how lost and confused I was about the disease. Read More » | Write a Comment »

Prolebrity: Beyond the Game