“Friday Night Lights” star Brad Leland will trade his football fan attire for a ski sweater and scarf as the celebrity emcee of “Ski Plano 2009.”  Leland, a 1973 graduate of Plano High School, will join the Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) Education Foundation and the “Ski Plano 2009” Committee at the annual fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, in the ballroom and atrium at Southfork Ranch in Parker.

“Ski Plano 2009” information, including ticket requests, is available by calling (972) 248-8252 or visiting the Plano ISD website at www.pisd.edu.

Leland appeared in the movie “Friday Night Lights” in 2004 and currently co-stars in the acclaimed NBC-TV series of the same name. His role as a devoted football fan, dedicated dad, and meddling businessman Buddy Garrity helps bring the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, to realistic life.

 Leland has many movie credits including “Hancock,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “The Patriot” and “The Ringer.” He has appeared in dozens of television roles including “Dallas,” “Walker,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and in the miniseries “North and South” and “Heaven and Hell.”

“Ski Plano 2009” is expected to attract 900 guests including business representatives, community leaders, school district officials, administrators, principals, and parents. The evening's activities offer dinner, entertainment, dancing to the music of Third Party Live, auctions, and the Avalanche raffle. Prizes valued at more than $50,000 have been donated by friends of the Plano schools.

Ski Plano’s $25,000 Aspen Sponsor is Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts. Auction highlights will include a Park Place Lexus Model Sampler which allows the bidder to drive a different Lexus each month for a year; a $3,000 shopping spree with limo at the Shops at Willow Bend; dinner for ten guests catered by Central Market’s Executive Chef; a Michele watch donated by Neiman Marcus; a four-night ski vacation in Banff Springs; a Sonoma wine country tour package; and Nick & Sam's Executive Chef’s dinner for ten.

Lisa Raskin, event chairman, said, “With a casual atmosphere and the comfort of ski sweaters and jeans, I guarantee that ‘Ski Plano 2009’ will provide a wonderful evening of fun and entertainment for our guests as we work toward the worthwhile cause of benefiting programs that are critical to Plano ISD schools, teachers and students.”

She added, “We are so delighted to welcome Brad Leland to this event and appreciate his support and investment as a graduate of this district.”

In Plano ISD, Leland was a member of the 1972 Plano Wildcats state championship football team. At Plano High School, he starred in dramas, musicals and comedies. He is the married father of two daughters and lives with his family in Allen.

The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with the mission to generate private support for priority projects identified by Plano ISD not funded by tax dollars. The Foundation provides grants to educators, programs that support academic enrichment to Plano ISD students, emergency assistance for teachers and staff members in crisis, as well as programs aimed at recruiting and retaining quality teachers.