Event Photos
Join our email list (below) to be notified of upcoming events and news about FPRA Tampa Bay. For more information or to RSVP, email fpratampabay@gmail.com.
Roast & Toast - Ernest Hooper
Thursday, July 17, 2008 at the Rusty Pelican, 2425 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa
FPRA Tampa Bay Board member Michelle Foley planned the first roast & toast as the annual scholarship fundraiser. The first roastee was St. Petersburg Times columnist
Ernest Hooper and a parade of Ernest’s friends and colleagues said a few words and got in a few digs, all in the name of
fun. The night was a huge success and all look forward to attending again next year!
About Ernest Hooper
Ernest Hooper is a Metro columnist for the St. Petersburg Times who spent the first 15 years of his career as a sports writer,
including a four-year stint as the paper’s NFL writer. His work has earned national and regional awards.
Now in his 22nd year as a journalist, and his seventh as a columnist, he files three pieces per week for the Times’ Tampa
and State editions and a fourth for the Times’ South Shore and Brandon editions. Hooper relies on a broad canvas of topics
that range from politics and nightlife to stories of perseverance and amusing anecdotes about his wife, Florence, and three
kids, Matthew, Ethan and Madelyn.
In 2007, Tampa Bay Illustrated magazine named Hooper to its Perfect 10 list as one of the area’s most fashionable and
charitable men. The charitable designation speaks to his work of shining a spotlight on Tampa Bay’s most deserving nonprofit efforts, and his willingness to serve as an
emcee or keynote speaker at various charitable events. His outreach efforts this year include serving as the honorary chairman of Cystic Fibrosis’ Great
Strides walk-a-thon, and being a member of the SERVE Volunteers in Education speaker’s bureau.
He was born and raised in Tallahassee and graduated from the University of Florida.
The guest of honor greeted and migled with guests.
Attendees took their seats as the roast began.
Ernest's longtime friend Diane Roberts acted as MC for the evening's events.
Many of Ernests friends and fans showed to show their love and support for him and raise funds for FPRA Tampa Bay's annual scholarship for college students.
Ernest generously urged attendees to bid on the many silent auction items obtained by FPRA Tampa Bay Board member Lindsey Nickel - de la O.
For additional information on upcoming programs, please visit the Events page or contact VP of Programs, Kitty Rawson.