cto
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First, a disclaimer. Unlike Tomcat I did not take a single note (or read the program). Plus, I went through the evening not thinking I would write something about it. Also, there was much red wine consumed (Unlike Tomcat, I've never drunk ginger ale in my life). But I will do my best.
The party at the Turning Stone last night, with more than 700 attendees, was the 20th annual Basket Ball, the black-tie event benefitting the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation that has raised many millions of dollars to support programs for under-served children in Central New York. I am one of the few people who has attended all 20 of them. Each year it gets better.
The entertainment was the best ever. Vanessa Williams, SU alum and entertainment superstar, was simply amazing. I fell in l love with her on the night in 1983 when she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again" to become the first African American crowned Miss America. It is criminal that they took away her crown because some bastard photographer sold nude photos of her ... photos that were taken when she was trying to earn money to help pay for college. Think of it: the wife of the US president posed for nude photos for an international magazine, and no one bats an eye. And a young college student, who needs money, poses for what she thought were private photos ... and she gets stripped of her "Miss America" title. It's an injustice equal to Jim Boeheim having those wins removed from his record. Maybe I should start a crusade to get both the crown and wins restored. But I digress.
Vanessa was absolutely fabulous. As was Sean McDonough as the MC. There was much joking afterward that Sean should be the MC every year. I think he would do it. He is the best .. because he knows JB so well.. He and Vanessa were at SU at the same time. And Vanessa and I grew up five miles from each other in Northern Westchester County, but we never met before last night. During the dinner part of the evening, both Sean and Vanessa posed for countless photos with people who had cell phones (like everyone there). And they were amazingly gracious about it.
Okay, back to the event... As usual, most of the team and staff were there. At the reception, a well-organized photo op .. allowed guests to get their photos taken with the team. Oshea was there.. but Tyus and Frank were not. The photo op is a nice tradition. I chatted with folks who have 10 years or more of these photos.
Okay, food. Always a Tomcat highlight. I was so busy schmoozing and talking that I didn't eat much (or observe much) at the reception. However, I must say that the al dente asparagus and cheese selection were delicious. I know there was all kinds of other stuff, but I didn't pay much attention. As for the dinner: the first course was a pretty little salad with all the ingredients tied together in a ribbon .. sort of like a bouquet. It was very tasty. Main course was the usual combo of surf and turf (grilled shrimp and a nicely prepared filet mignon). I seriously have no memory of a desert... But I think there was one.
Post dinner, some folks danced until 1 a.m. And some other people gambled until 6 a.m. In order to protect the guilty .. no names will be disclosed.
Other stuff: both the silent auction and live auction were very successful. Someone bought Adam Weitzman's Super Bowl trip for $25,000. Amazingly, the buyer was a total stranger to Jim and Juli... a first time attendee at the Basket Ball. JB is an EXCELLENT auctioneer. He could have a second career doing it.
Here is the Post Standard's report on the evening: Jim Boeheim celebrates 20 years of Basket Ball Gala: ‘Beyond anything I ever thought’
Here is a truly bad photo of Vanessa, Sean and me. It is so bad, that I may delete it. Contrary to this photo, Vanessa is seriously beautiful. I thought Carla Fischer's photo skills were better than this:
The party at the Turning Stone last night, with more than 700 attendees, was the 20th annual Basket Ball, the black-tie event benefitting the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation that has raised many millions of dollars to support programs for under-served children in Central New York. I am one of the few people who has attended all 20 of them. Each year it gets better.
The entertainment was the best ever. Vanessa Williams, SU alum and entertainment superstar, was simply amazing. I fell in l love with her on the night in 1983 when she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again" to become the first African American crowned Miss America. It is criminal that they took away her crown because some bastard photographer sold nude photos of her ... photos that were taken when she was trying to earn money to help pay for college. Think of it: the wife of the US president posed for nude photos for an international magazine, and no one bats an eye. And a young college student, who needs money, poses for what she thought were private photos ... and she gets stripped of her "Miss America" title. It's an injustice equal to Jim Boeheim having those wins removed from his record. Maybe I should start a crusade to get both the crown and wins restored. But I digress.
Vanessa was absolutely fabulous. As was Sean McDonough as the MC. There was much joking afterward that Sean should be the MC every year. I think he would do it. He is the best .. because he knows JB so well.. He and Vanessa were at SU at the same time. And Vanessa and I grew up five miles from each other in Northern Westchester County, but we never met before last night. During the dinner part of the evening, both Sean and Vanessa posed for countless photos with people who had cell phones (like everyone there). And they were amazingly gracious about it.
Okay, back to the event... As usual, most of the team and staff were there. At the reception, a well-organized photo op .. allowed guests to get their photos taken with the team. Oshea was there.. but Tyus and Frank were not. The photo op is a nice tradition. I chatted with folks who have 10 years or more of these photos.
Okay, food. Always a Tomcat highlight. I was so busy schmoozing and talking that I didn't eat much (or observe much) at the reception. However, I must say that the al dente asparagus and cheese selection were delicious. I know there was all kinds of other stuff, but I didn't pay much attention. As for the dinner: the first course was a pretty little salad with all the ingredients tied together in a ribbon .. sort of like a bouquet. It was very tasty. Main course was the usual combo of surf and turf (grilled shrimp and a nicely prepared filet mignon). I seriously have no memory of a desert... But I think there was one.
Post dinner, some folks danced until 1 a.m. And some other people gambled until 6 a.m. In order to protect the guilty .. no names will be disclosed.
Other stuff: both the silent auction and live auction were very successful. Someone bought Adam Weitzman's Super Bowl trip for $25,000. Amazingly, the buyer was a total stranger to Jim and Juli... a first time attendee at the Basket Ball. JB is an EXCELLENT auctioneer. He could have a second career doing it.
Here is the Post Standard's report on the evening: Jim Boeheim celebrates 20 years of Basket Ball Gala: ‘Beyond anything I ever thought’
Here is a truly bad photo of Vanessa, Sean and me. It is so bad, that I may delete it. Contrary to this photo, Vanessa is seriously beautiful. I thought Carla Fischer's photo skills were better than this:
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