As expected, the Port Arthur News Homecoming Roast of Wade Phillips sold out early last week. There is, however, an option for those on the waiting list and those who didn’t hear about the event until it was too late to purchase tickets or a table.

Taking a page from the game plan used when the 1993 Homecoming Roast of Jimmy Johnson quickly sold out, tickets are being offered to view the roast from the banquet room on the second floor of Lamar State College Port Arthur’s Carl Parker Center.

Anyone purchasing a ticket to be seated in the banquet room will be served the same meal, with wine, as those in the Parker Center, and be able to watch the roast on video screens. Cost is $800 for a table of eight or $100 per individual ticket.

The phone number to call for a ticket or table reservation is 984-6262.

Port Arthur Historical Society president Sam Monroe, who is handling ticket sales, said some of those who called after the event sold out have already purchased tickets in the banquet room. Capacity in the banquet room is 20 tables.

“This is a really big time event and, predictably, it sold out fast,” said Monroe. “We knew many people were going to be disappointed when they could not get a ticket, so this is a way to accommodate some of them.

“The banquet room option worked pretty well for the Jimmy Johnson Roast. A lot of people took us up on it and I think they were pleased that they did. It provides a chance to attend something that will be talked about for many, many years.”

Port Neches-Groves graduate Phillips, who was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, is being saluted for his role in helping the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50.

Phillips was the defensive coordinator of a dominating unit that ranked No. 1 in the NFL during the regular season, then smothered three of the game’s top QBs — Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, New England’s Tom Brady and Carolina’s Cam Newton — in the playoffs.

Headline roasters are J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans and the Broncos’ DeMarcus Ware. Other roasters are Phillips’ son Wesley, a tight ends coach with the Washington Redskins, Houston Chronicle NFL writer John McClain and former Houston Oilers center Carl Mauck.

Video toasts are expected from Jim Nantz of CBS, legendary Broncos QB Peyton Manning, former Houston Oilers QB Dan Pastorini and selected Denver coaches and players. NFL Films, which will have a three-man crew at the roast, is also providing a video of Phillips from games when they had him miked on the sidelines.
Houston radio personality Barry Warner will be the master of ceremonies for the roast.