Dick Vitale Gala has record setting night

Final Four coaches gather with Dickie V. at Dick Vitale Gala
(L-R Jim Calhoun, Dick Vitale, Shaka Smart, John Calipari, Brad Stevens)

Dickie Vitale broke the bank at this year’s Dick Vitale Gala raising a record $1.3 million for pediatric cancer research.

It was the most money ever raised the Gala exceeding the $1.2 million that event brought in several years ago when it honored Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“We are ecstatic that we broke the record,” Vitale said after learning of the figures late last week. “It’s absolutely amazing and I want to thank all the people from the Bradenton-Sarasota are and the celebrities who came and made this possible.

“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t thank enough all the stars that came on their own expense without charge and the many, many thousands of dollars they gave. I am talking serious donations. We in the Jimmy V Foundation are very happy with the final numbers.”

The scene at Vitale’s house the next day where many of the guests gathered was very emotional. Anthony Littlejohn, Lakewood Ranch assistant football coach who lost his 15 month old son Adrian Shawn to cancer on May 1^st, gave an impassioned speech thanking everyone who had helped him and his wife Ivette get through the tough times.

Vitale said plans are already under way for next year’s Dick Vitale Gala that will be held May 18^th at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. He plans to honor former college football coach and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz, Villanova head basketball coach Jay Wright and former Maryland head basketball coach Gary Williams.

Calipari says Butler-VCU success puts pressure on coaches

John Calipari says the success of Butler and Virginia Commonwealth in this year's NCAA Tournament with both reaching the Final Four puts tremendous pressure on coaches at non-BCS schools.

The Kentucky head coach was in town to attend the Dick Vitale Gala as an honored guest. He talked about how much the Gala along the Jimmy V Foundation has raised money to fight cancer and how his mother died last November from the dreaded disease.

After showing his emotion, Calipari asked a bunch of reporters, "can we talk some basketball now."

Calipari said he didn't think the success of Butler making two straight Final Fours and VCU getting there this year signals a trend. But it does make things tougher on coaches from the non BCS schools.

"I hate that that happened for anyone who coaches at a school like VCU or Butler because now every coach at those levels (will hear) 'well VCU did it, Butler did it back to back why can't you.'

"I was at Massachusetts and Memphis. To get a Final Four when you are a non-BCS school is extremely, extremely, rare and difficult so I don't see a trend

Dick Vitale Gala Sold Out

The V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced The Sixth Annual Dick Vitale Gala, scheduled for May 20^th at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has been sold out.

Those who still wish to support the Gala are invited to make a donation to The V Foundation.

To be placed on a ticket waiting list, please contact The V Foundation at 1-800-4-JIMMYV or jaschenbrenner@jimmyv.org. Sarasota area residents can contact Mary Kenealy at MaryKen421@aol.com

As is Gala tradition, coaching greats and sports celebrities from across the country will join Vitale to honor Roy Williams and John Calipari.

Celebrity guests joining honorees Nick Bollettieri, John Calipari and Roy Williams include all four head coaches of the recent Final Four – Jim Calhoun, Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart (and Calipari).

Also scheduled to attend are: Celtic great Dave Cowens, Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown, Florida State Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher, baseball’s Gary Sheffield and three former Heisman trophy winners, Desmond Howard, Chris Weinke and Vinnie Testaverde.

An all-star group of collegiate basketball coaches scheduled to attend include: JamieDixon (Pitt),Billy Donovan (Florida), Steve Fisher (San Diego State), Seth Greenberg (Va. Tech), Ben Howland (UCLA), Bob Huggins (WVU) and Gary Williams (Maryland). Men’s doubles Wimbledon champ Don Johnson is also expected to appear. Gala Host John Saunders will be joined by fellow broadcast colleagues Erin Andrews, Jay Bilas, Rece Davis, Lesley Visser and Dereck Whittenburg.

V Foundation Gets Honor; Vitale Gala coming soon

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced that New York Knicks guard Chauncey Billups, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and former Harlem Globetrotter and college basketball All-American Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline, have been named winners of The Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. The winners will be recognized on August 11 during events leading up to the 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies.

“We are delighted to honor such a remarkable group for their contributions to the basketball community with The Mannie Jackson, Basketball’s Human Spirit Award,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year’s recipients have truly made a measurable impact through their selflessness, leadership and determination in the communities and constituencies they serve.”

The criteria for award winners includes embracing the core values of the game through hard work, dedication, and resilience; striving to continuously improve the community they serve, and making an ongoing commitment to others. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for personal actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

Billups, The V Foundation and Kline were chosen from a group of six finalists after nominations were screened by a selection committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson. Beginning in 2009, the finalists were grouped in three categories, representing the professional, amateur and grassroots levels of basketball.

As we all know around these parts, ESPN basketball analyst and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale has a played an instrumental role in the V Foundation’s work and serves on the board of directors.

His 6^th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, which raises significant amounts of money for the Foundation, will be held May 20^th at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota when he honors basketball coaches John Calipari from Kentucky and Roy Williams of North Carolina.