Jimmy V event in Sarasota

[Super]

Every year in Sarasota, Vitale hosts a fund-raiser for the Jimmy V Foundation. It's a spectacular event which draws hundreds of D1 coaches and has raised at least $1 million per year. Vitale requires that it be used locally, particularly for kids with cancer--focusing on research. My wife has worked for Vitale at this event for the past 3 years. Iona gets great play during the presentations, particularly Jim's desire to play the 9:00 game at MSG. Invariably, a cheer goes up from the crowd when the Louisville game is mentioned. It's also a great chance to get reacquainted with Jim's family.

Bob Raissman in the NY Daily News on Sunday said:

DUDE OF THE WEEK
D. Vitale
For bringing the passion and applying heavy elbow grease to turn his upcoming (Friday) Sarasota, Fla., gala - a fund raiser for the V Foundation for Cancer Research - into a sellout. This will be Vitale's fifth extravaganza. It always packs (750 strong) the Ritz-Carlton ballroom. Vitale, as usual, has assembled a cast of 60 sports celebrities to mingle with those supporting this tremendous cause. After the event, when he's resting his mouth, His DomeNess will be smiling, knowing the gala raised $1 million. If you want to help out you can make a donation by dialing 1-800-4-JIMMY-V.

Read more: www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2010/05/15/2010-05-15_tyson_would_be_perfect_after_dark.html#ixzz0oPbmEBcp

PS Every time I wrote Vitale's first name, the preview text replaced "Di_k" with "Thingy"

[Cjb]

Good stuff for an even better cause.

Super, while you're hob-nobbing with the rich and famous at the gala, maybe you can ask: how do we get at least one of Jimmy V's (former) teams as a particpant in the Jimmy V Classic each year?

[Super]

Super, while you're hob-nobbing with the rich and famous at the gala, maybe you can ask: how do we get at least one of Jimmy V's (former) teams as a particpant in the Jimmy V Classic each year?[/quote]

CJB, I actually discussed that with Nick Valvano, Jim's brother who heads the foundation. He indicated that they might consider it, but that the field was pre-determined a year in advance. I'll raise it again on Friday.

[Cjb]

Thanks, Super. My quess is ESPN doesn't give the family any input into the matchups, but you would think they'd be allowed some.

[GuyF]

May 19, 2010 17:18:08 GMT -5 Super said:

PS Every time I wrote Vitale's first name, the preview text replaced "Di_k" with "Thingy"

This is awesome. I thought about shutting off that filter, but now I like it too much.

[Super]

May 20, 2010 8:14:08 GMT -5 GuyF said:

May 19, 2010 17:18:08 GMT -5 Super said:

PS Every time I wrote Vitale's first name, the preview text replaced "Di_k" with "Thingy"

This is awesome. I thought about shutting off that filter, but now I like it too much.

It was pretty funny reading "Thingy" Vitale everytime his name appeared.

[Super]

Great event last night with a decent focus on Valvano's tenure at Iona, including a mention of recruiting Ruland. Once again, there was a mention of Jim's use of index cards to write down his goals. They mentioned his written goal of winning the 9:00 game at MSG with a predictable cheer from the crowd. Also had a "stump the experts sidebar" with one question being: Which team did Jimmy's 1979-80 Iona team beat in the first round of the NCAA tournament?

Had very little opportunity to interract with Nick about CJB's suggestion for the basketball tournament. This year is set with Memphis, Kansas, Michigan State and Syracuse. (There are many associated fund-raising events tied into the tournament, so they hope to capialize by bringing in larger schools which may have a travelling fan base.)

Did speak with Steve Lavin about a local Metro Area round robin. He actually showed some interest since he clearly needs to get MSG filled again for SJU games.

All in all, a good night for a good cause. "Dick" Vitale is a shameless self-promoter, but the guy really knows how to twist arms and is clearly committed to ongoing fund-raising for research on children's cancer issues. There were some wonderful but, frequently, sad stories.

One interesting piece of trivia mentioned by Magic Johnson in his intrduction of honored guest, Tom Izzo, was that he is the only current coach to have every player that has stayed with him for 4 years participate in a Final Four. (Amazing record: 13 consecutive NCAA appaerances, 6 Big Ten championships, and 6 Final Fours--and he's clearly a nice guy.)