Breakfast of Champions to Benefit the Men’s Program

Cumberland Heights is excited to host the 2023 Breakfast of Champions on Friday, November 17, featuring former Tennessee Titans coach, Jeff Fisher, as keynote speaker. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Men’s Program at Cumberland Heights.

The mission of Cumberland Heights is to transform lives, giving hope and healing to those affected by drug and alcohol addiction.

The Men’s Program is designed to guide men from feelings of pain and isolation that come with addiction to a place of connection and well-being. Our experienced staff create an individual plan for each patient, which includes comprehensive education on the disease of addiction, an understanding of the obstacles to recovery through group and individual therapy, 12-Step programming, and family therapy. Our goal is to help those suffering turn the hard work of getting clean and sober into a lifetime of happiness and peace.

Cumberland Heights is grateful for all of our sponsors, patrons, and supporters that make this event possible. To learn how you can be a part of Breakfast of Champions, please contact Lee Ann Eaton, Development Coordinator, at leeann_eaton@cumberlandheights.org. Thank you!

About Jeff Fisher

Jeff Fisher is an American football coach and former cornerback and return specialist. He served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 22 seasons, primarily with the Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans franchise. Fisher coached the Oilers / Titans from 1994 to 2010 and the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams from 2012 to 2016.

After playing college football at University of Southern California, Fisher was drafted in the seventh round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, and played with the Bears for five seasons. He won a Super Bowl ring in 1985 while on injured reserve during his final season as a player.

Fisher then held several coaching positions for various teams before becoming the head coach of the Titans towards the end of the 1994 season during their tenure as the Houston Oilers and was the team’s first coach when they relocated to Tennessee. Fisher continued to coach the Titans until after the end of the 2010 season. Following a season away from football, Fisher was hired as the head coach of the Rams in 2012 and coached the team during their last four years in St. Louis. He remained the head coach of the Rams during the franchise’s return to Los Angeles in 2016.

One of Fisher’s most successful season was in 1999, when he led the Titans to a Super Bowl appearance in XXXIV, which ended in close defeat by the St. Louis Rams for their first Super Bowl title. His ability to lead and shape a team is achieved through a combination of toughness and insight as a former NFL player. Jeff is a native of Southern California and graduated from the University of Southern California. Fisher is an avid fisherman and golfer. He also does considerable work off the field with little accolade. Fisher has three children: sons, Brandon and Trent, and daughter Tara.

2023 Duke Kennedy Award Recipient

Cumberland Heights presents the 2023 Duke Kennedy Award to former Board of Directors’ President, Jay Perkins. The Duke Kennedy Award is given each year to honor a person who has made an exemplary impact in the local recovery community. Born and raised in Nashville, Jay attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, followed by the University of Tennessee. Jay is a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and loyal and devoted friend. Jay served as Vice-President of Consumers Gasoline Stations, Inc. until 2013. In 2002, Jay joined the Cumberland Heights Board of Directors, where he served as President from 2009-2016 and again from 2020-2022.

Cumberland Heights CEO, Jay Crosson states, “Jay Perkins is exemplary board member. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor. He is a trusted advisor, servant leader, and friend. He is passionate about our mission, concerned for the staff, and supportive of the Leadership Team. As Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, Jay has walked the grounds and has been involved in the selection and buildout of the property purchased in 2016 for ARCH Academy, our adolescent boys’ campus, which has been hugely successful. Recently, Cumberland Heights purchased a beautiful new campus that will house an adolescent girls’ program to provide services to this population. We plan to keep Jay very busy for many years to come as we transform the River Road campus with two new buildings that will advance our treatment of men and women through new residential and therapeutic spaces.”

Fellow board member and the 2022 recipient of the Duke Kennedy Award, Paul Wilson, says, “Jay Perkins has a heart of service. He has provided leadership and encouragement to the entire organization. Jay truly wants to see people get well and live their best life. Cumberland Heights has grown and expanded services under Jay’s leadership. He has raised funds and spent countless hours making sure the infrastructure was in place to provide the highest levels of care. Jay exemplifies humility, integrity, and compassion. He continues to lead and support Cumberland Heights. I am honored to see him receive the Duke Kennedy Award for 2023.”

Chief Development Officer, Cindy Patterson, says, “Jay Perkins is humble and dedicated, leading the board and supporting the Leadership Team and staff during times of challenge and times of transformational growth. Although Jay is quiet and unassuming, his wisdom, guidance, and support are invaluable qualities he always makes available to Cumberland Heights. His connection and guidance led the Development Team to Cumberland Heights’ most significant pledge in history and the first 7-figure gift for ‘Recovery in Community.’ Through his service on the Building and Grounds committee, Jay has led Cumberland Heights to make critical long-term decisions to ensure our new facilities match the superb quality of care Cumberland Heights already offers. Jay has shared more than once that he fell in love with Cumberland Heights when he first joined the board and visited the campus. Most importantly, Jay loves and wants the best for patients who come to Cumberland Heights to experience lifelong recovery and rewrite their life stories. Congratulations to Jay, who is very deserving of this honor.”

Jay and his wife, Mary are loyal supporters of Cumberland Heights. They sponsor and attend Cumberland Heights’ fundraising events and are key ambassadors of our mission.