Dick Vitale Gala releases more info on 2019 event

More details have been released on the 2019 Dick Vitale Gala, which will be held May 10 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. 

According to a release, this year’s event will begin with a “Celebrity Meet & Greet Private Pre-Party” at 6 p.m. and include entertainment from Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, one of the original "Jersey Boys." Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Individual tickets start at $1,000 and sponsorship opportunities at $5,000. Corporate and presenting sponsors will also receive invitations to a private reception at Vitale’s home on May 11.

In its 13-year history, the Dick Vitale Gala has raised more than $25.2 million for pediatric cancer research. 

“We need money for pediatric research to help youngsters battling cancer,” Vitale said in the release. “There is nothing more tragic
than watching a mom and dad put a child to rest. Until my last breath, I’ll help young people facing this challenge.”

In February, the gala announced its 2019 honorees would be Dabo Swinney, Avery Johnson and Chris Fowler.

Swinney, the head coach of the Clemson University football team, is coming off his second national title win in January, 44-16 over the University of Alabama. Swinney, 49, won his first national title in 2016, also against Alabama. He has been the coach of the Tigers since 2008 and is a two-time ACC Coach of the Year (2015, 2018). Swinney was named the AP College Football Coach of the Year in 2015.

Johnson has had a prolific career. He played in the NBA from 1988-2004, best known for playing with the San Antonio Spurs from 1994-2001. He hit the game-winning shot in game five of the 1998-1999 NBA Finals to give the Spurs the series over the New York Knicks. After his playing career, Johnson coached the Dallas Mavericks from 2004-2008, leading the team to the NBA's best record in 2006-2007. After a brief television stint with ESPN, Johnson coached the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets from 2010-2012 and the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2015-2019. 

Fowler is a college football broadcaster with ESPN. He hosted popular preview show "College Gameday" from 1990-2014. In 2014, he became the play-by-play announcer for "Saturday Night Football" on ABC and of the College Football Playoffs and National Championship Game. Fowler also does play-by-play on major tennis broadcasts on ESPN, like the U.S. Open. He has also worked on coverage of the X Games, horse racing and the FIFA World Cup. 

"Once again, we have put together a superstar group of honorees," Vitale said in February. "How lucky we are that we will have Coach Swinney, Coach Johnson and ESPN’s Chris Fowler. I’m also excited to keep the spirit and memory of John Saunders alive through the John Saunders V Foundation Courage Award, which will go to two very special guests."

The Courage Award recipients, who are "inspirational individuals using their voice to raise awareness and funding for cancer research," per the release, are ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe and football coach/ESPN broadcaster Lee Corso. 

For more information, visit jimmyv.org/vitale. To purchase gala tickets, call 350-0580.