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Dick Vitale Gala draws the stars to raise money for pediatric cancer


  • By Janet Combs
  • | 10:38 a.m. May 3, 2026
Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
Janet Combs
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What: Dick Vitale Gala

Benefiting: V Foundation

When: May 1

Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

ESPN's Mike Soltys, V Foundation president Brandi Broome and the V Foundation founder's daughter Jamie Valvano.
ESPN's Mike Soltys, V Foundation president Brandi Broome and the V Foundation founder's daughter Jamie Valvano.
Janet Combs
Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo has brought his team to eight Final Four appearances.
Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo has brought his team to eight Final Four appearances.
Janet Combs
All-Courageous Kids cancer survivor Tatum Parker meets Katie Couric and is thrilled to be attending another gala and celebrating with Dick Vitale.
All-Courageous Kids cancer survivor Tatum Parker meets Katie Couric and is thrilled to be attending another gala and celebrating with Dick Vitale.
Janet Combs
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Janet Combs
Rex Jensen with Leigh and Bob Simons.
Rex Jensen with Leigh and Bob Simons.
Janet Combs
Darren, Hannah and Joy Macdonald
Darren, Hannah and Joy Macdonald
Janet Combs
The Wiggins Family of Orlando include Arran, Charlie, Melissa, Cannon and Gray. Cannon is a cancer survivor and is introduced as one of Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids.
The Wiggins Family of Orlando include Arran, Charlie, Melissa, Cannon and Gray. Cannon is a cancer survivor and is introduced as one of Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids.
Janet Combs
Kimber and Mariano Jimenez honor the Light of Aubrien, which receives a grant.
Kimber and Mariano Jimenez honor the Light of Aubrien, which receives a grant.
Janet Combs
Dustin Tenney, Ann Fruchtman, Koz Kozlowski and Deputy Gabe Eckert.
Dustin Tenney, Ann Fruchtman, Koz Kozlowski and Deputy Gabe Eckert.
Janet Combs
Brandi Broome was named as the V Foundation CEO on March 16.
Brandi Broome was named as the V Foundation CEO on March 16.
Janet Combs
Lorraine Vitale with JoEllen Mettille
Lorraine Vitale with JoEllen Mettille
Janet Combs
Journalist, documentary film-maker, mom, wife and ardent cancer advocate Katie Couric is the first non-sports figure to be honored at Dick Vitale's gala.
Journalist, documentary film-maker, mom, wife and ardent cancer advocate Katie Couric is the first non-sports figure to be honored at Dick Vitale's gala.
Janet Combs
Dick Vitale celebrates 21 years of his gala to raise funds for the V Foundation.
Dick Vitale celebrates 21 years of his gala to raise funds for the V Foundation.
Janet Combs
Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids include Cannon Wiggins, Harper Harrell and Josh Fisher.
Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids include Cannon Wiggins, Harper Harrell and Josh Fisher.
Janet Combs
ESPN's Josh Krulewitz welcomes the media.
ESPN's Josh Krulewitz welcomes the media.
Janet Combs
ESPN's Kevin Negandhi returns to the Dick Vitale Gala as host.
ESPN's Kevin Negandhi returns to the Dick Vitale Gala as host.
Janet Combs
UConn coach Geno Auriemma speaks to the media ahead of the gala.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma speaks to the media ahead of the gala.
Janet Combs
Jason Hughes with Monica Negandhi
Jason Hughes with Monica Negandhi
Janet Combs
La'Shaun Shore and Heaven Collins
La'Shaun Shore and Heaven Collins
Janet Combs
Arran Wiggins orders a Shirley Temple at the bar.
Arran Wiggins orders a Shirley Temple at the bar.
Janet Combs
Sisters Heather and Holly Hindin celebrate their daughter/niece and All-Courageous Kid Harper Harrell with a night at the Ritz.
Sisters Heather and Holly Hindin celebrate their daughter/niece and All-Courageous Kid Harper Harrell with a night at the Ritz.
Janet Combs
ESPN's Debbie and Michael Heimbach.
ESPN's Debbie and Michael Heimbach.
Janet Combs
Mariama and David Levy enjoy the VIP event.
Mariama and David Levy enjoy the VIP event.
Janet Combs
David Verinder, Don Ellis and Shawn Henry catch up during the cocktail hour.
David Verinder, Don Ellis and Shawn Henry catch up during the cocktail hour.
Janet Combs
Deanna Patrick of Fort Myers enjoys a VIP experience.
Deanna Patrick of Fort Myers enjoys a VIP experience.
Janet Combs
Slightly taller than Dick Vitale is brother John with wife Dee and friend Madelon Ward.
Slightly taller than Dick Vitale is brother John with wife Dee and friend Madelon Ward.
Janet Combs
Tito and Amber Oritz and Tammie and Charlie Johnson
Tito and Amber Oritz and Tammie and Charlie Johnson
Janet Combs
Jay Harris, Lisa Kovlakas and Kevin Martinez
Jay Harris, Lisa Kovlakas and Kevin Martinez
Janet Combs
From Illinois are Eddie Johnson and Makenna Harvey.
From Illinois are Eddie Johnson and Makenna Harvey.
Janet Combs
Hillary Humerickhouse flew in for the event.
Hillary Humerickhouse flew in for the event.
Janet Combs
Shane Brey from 360 Hoops with author Steven Cooper.
Shane Brey from 360 Hoops with author Steven Cooper.
Janet Combs
Tricia and Jerod Ward enjoy a night at Dick Vitale Gala.
Tricia and Jerod Ward enjoy a night at Dick Vitale Gala.
Janet Combs
Former professional basketball player Jerod Ward meets University of Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson.
Former professional basketball player Jerod Ward meets University of Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson.
Janet Combs
Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Legend Titus O'Neil and his date Java Ingram enjoy the VIP cocktail reception.
Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Legend Titus O'Neil and his date Java Ingram enjoy the VIP cocktail reception.
Janet Combs
Myles Graham, Java Ingram, WWE Legend Titus O'Neil, Titus Bullard and TJ Bullard. All three boys play football for the University of Florida.
Myles Graham, Java Ingram, WWE Legend Titus O'Neil, Titus Bullard and TJ Bullard. All three boys play football for the University of Florida.
Janet Combs
Kerry Rohrssen and Sally Muehlenkamp grab a selfie.
Kerry Rohrssen and Sally Muehlenkamp grab a selfie.
Janet Combs
Wesley Chapple's 8-year old Tony McLaurin is not the youngest of six children but he is the only one on Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids team. Dad Ronnie looks forward to seeing his little boy back on the football field soon.
Wesley Chapple's 8-year old Tony McLaurin is not the youngest of six children but he is the only one on Dick Vitale's All-Courageous Kids team. Dad Ronnie looks forward to seeing his little boy back on the football field soon.
Janet Combs
These moms have something huge in common: boys who are part of the Dick Vitale All-Courageous Kids. Pauline McLaurin and LaShina Lewis catch up during the VIP event.
These moms have something huge in common: boys who are part of the Dick Vitale All-Courageous Kids. Pauline McLaurin and LaShina Lewis catch up during the VIP event.
Janet Combs
Legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano founded the V Foundation for cancer research, and his middle daughter, Jamie Valvano, is an active member.
Legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano founded the V Foundation for cancer research, and his middle daughter, Jamie Valvano, is an active member.
Janet Combs
Katie Couric shows off her shoes that are
Katie Couric shows off her shoes that are "so pretty but not comfortable at all!" The benched beauties were traded for a pair of white Adidas lace-up sneakers.
Janet Combs
Katie Couric changed into a pair of size 7 Adidas lace-up kicks that are much more comfortable than her strappy green heels.
Katie Couric changed into a pair of size 7 Adidas lace-up kicks that are much more comfortable than her strappy green heels.
Janet Combs
Basketball centerpieces signed by the 2025 Dick Vitale Gala honorees were a welcome addition to the tables.
Basketball centerpieces signed by the 2025 Dick Vitale Gala honorees were a welcome addition to the tables.
Janet Combs
Connor Krug and his grandfather Dick Vitale.
Connor Krug and his grandfather Dick Vitale.
Janet Combs
Recent Duke grads are Jake and Connor Krug who take a photo with their famous grandparents, Dick and Lorraine Vitale.
Recent Duke grads are Jake and Connor Krug who take a photo with their famous grandparents, Dick and Lorraine Vitale.
Janet Combs
Joe Barbetta
Joe Barbetta
Janet Combs

 

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