The sold-out 12th Annual Dick Vitale Gala took place on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 10:51 p.m. May 12, 2017
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The ballroom sparkled even brighter than usual on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for the star-studded 12th Annual Dick Vitale Gala.
More than 850 guests packed the ballroom to support the V Foundation for Cancer Research and celebrate this year’s honorees; University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly, ESPN Sports Anchor and Commentator Chris Berman and University of West Virginia head basketball coach Bob Huggins.
The evening began with an emotional press conference during which media heard from Vitale, Kelly, Huggins and V Foundation for Cancer Research CEO Susan Braun, who spoke about why they’re passionate about fighting cancer. Vitale also recognized several cancer patients and survivors in the crowd who inspire him.
During cocktail hour, guests sipped wine, mingled and had the chance to purchase autographed footballs and basketballs signed by this year’s honorees. Once seated for dinner, eventgoers heard from ESPN sports anchor and gala emcee Kevin Negandhi.
“We’re here to honor the kids who wake up everyday without fanfare,” Negandhi says. “They fight harder than any athlete.”
To raise money for these fighters, Negandhi then introduced the live auction, which featured everything from two tickets to the Indy 500 to four spots in the President’s Box at the 2017 U.S. Open.
The mission of the Dick Vitale Gala is to raise money for pediatric cancer research nationwide and to promote awareness of pediatric cancer, so throughout the rest of the evening, patrons heard several touching stories of the effects of pediatric cancer on both patients and their families.
Honoree Brian Kelly, Event Planner Mary Kenealy, Host Dick Vitale, Honoree Bob Huggins and V Foundation for Cancer Research CEO Susan Braun
Dick Vitale poses with his two honorees and several pediatric cancer patients and survivors at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Calvin Cole, Ethan McNary, Amanda McNary and Josie McNary
Vanessa Sommers and Tony Colton
Sadie Keller, Marissa Peddie, Cannon Wiggins, Josh Fisher, Enzo Grande and Nolan Stringer
Guests could purchase footballs and basketballs autographed by the honorees — University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly, ESPN anchor Chris Berman and University of West Virginia head basketball coach Bob Huggins.
Michael, Banyan and Laura Gilkey
Mike and Emma Stringer with Jennifer and Brian Peddie
Kevin Negandhi and Jason Hughes
Josh Jones and Shannon Spake
Jacqueline Whittenburg and Harry Rhodes
The ballroom was adorned with white orchids at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Ryan and Kyla Callahan
Dane and Bernadette Jones
Dolly Duffy with Ron and Sara Powlus
Tom and Shelly Ewing
Paul and Andrea Kowalski
The ballroom was adorned with white orchids at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Kimberly Nasief and Kent Taylor
Charlene and Dean Hartley
Ken and Jenny Pendery
Jessica Nunez and Victoria Ruiz
Chris and Valerie Parsons
The ballroom was adorned with white orchids at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Martin Kenney, Susan Burt and Jana Coffin
Peter and Susan Migliaccio
Chris and Michele Dillingham
Katy Phelan and Kari Lee
Mia Quadrini, Amy Quadrini and Ava Aldrini
The ballroom was adorned with white orchids at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Brooke Palmer Kuhl, Brittany Eagans and Kelsey Alholm
Deb and Brandon Hines
Chris Berman, Bob Huggins and Brian Kelly were honored at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Bob and Barbara Gigante
Cole Eicher, N’Jhari Jackson, Tatum Parker and Kyle Peters
Mike Person, Earnest Graham, Todd Johnson, Todd Reuter, Brent and Megan Bogart and Elena Reuter
Maryann Armour with Dean and Sherri Ernzen
Robin O’Neil and Tina D’Agostino
Guests were greeted by a cutout of Dick Vitale and several pediatric cancer patients and survivors at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Sally Schule and Mason Ayres
Audrey Landers and Ruth Landers
The ballroom was decked out in V Foundation signage at the Dick Vitale Gala on May 12 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
