The Dick Vitale Gala on Friday was a huge success with sports celebrities from all over the country in attendance to raise money for pediatric cancer research under the Jimmy V Foundation.No one in attendance was happier than Dereck Whittenburg, who played on the the North Carolina State 1983 national championship team coached by the late Jimmy Valvano, who started the Jimmy V Foundation with ESPN.
Whittenburg is most remembered for his long shot attempt in the '83 title game that fell short but teammate Lorenzo Charles grabbed and dunked for what turned out to be the game winning shot.
"It's great being part of the Jimmy V board and I can't tell you how thrilled we are about what Dick Vitale does for us," Whittenburg said. "This is a great event and we love coming down here and importantly we are doing this all for the right reasons, which is to raise money for cancer so we can be this dreaded disease.
"What I remember most about Jimmy Valvano is that he didn't want anybody to feel sorry for him. He wanted us to raise money to raise awareness to find a cure that may not save his life, but hopefully save a family member's life or somebody you love.
"He was a player's coach, a wonderful guy to play for. I loved the man and I also coached with him as an assistant. I can't tell you how much I love the guy.
____Hey that was a pass not a shot and I will always remember that," he said with a laugh.
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