BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. - How much would Jim Valvano love the celebrity golf tournament and complementary events that take place this weekend at and around NC State?
Well, at varying times in his life, the late NC State basketball coach absolutely loved golf, celebrities and the Wolfpack. For much of the time he was at NC State, especially following the 1983 NCAA Championship, Valvano might have been Raleigh's biggest celebrity and he surrounded himself with well-known people from all walks of life.
He traded quips with Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and David Letterman, just to name a few. He shared the stage - begrudgingly - with many, many others, through his television appearances, his many motivational speeches and his appearances around the country for Nike and other sponsors.
So, every August, Valvano smiles on the celebrity event that uses his name for a good purpose. (For a list of the celebrities participating in this year's event, visit http://www.golfclassic.org/celebrities.php.)
This year, long after Valvano's bitter break with the school in 1990, the full force of the dynamic coach's personality returns to campus, with the three-day Jimmy V Celebrity Classic, which begins tonight with the Wine & Dine for Cancer Research at the Raleigh Civic and Convention Center and culminates Sunday with a celebrity golf tournament at the recently opened Lonnie Poole Golf Course on NC State's Centennial Campus.
The weekend is the signature event for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity started in Valvano's name by ESPN just before his death in 1991. In a little over 16 years, the foundation has raised some $80 million in funds for cancer research and is one of the few national charities that gives 100 percent of the funds it raises for research.
Some of those funds have now returned to the school where Valvano was both the men's basketball coach and the athletics director, through the Jimmy V-NC State Cancer Therapeutics Training Program. The V Foundation made a $1 million grant to the school last year to create the partnership, which provides the opportunity for young students to begin a path towards cancer research.
Nick Valvano, Jim's older brother and the CEO of the V Foundation, called the partnerships his proudest moment as the head of his brother's charity.
The partnership has revived the relationship that for years after the coach's departure and premature death was not ready to be healed. Now, that time has come.
The next three days will remember the good times Valvano had at NC State, including two ACC championships and the miraculous '83 title. There will also be time to remember the late Kay Yow, Valvano's fellow coach at NC State who died in January after a long fight against breast cancer. All volunteers for the this weekend's events will wear pink, the official color of breast cancer awareness, in honor of Yow.
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund is a subsidiary of the V Foundation, raising money in the late Hall of Fame coach's name for cancer research and awareness.
One of the highlights of this year's event is a return appearance by golf legend Arnold Palmer, whose company designed the Lonnie Poole Golf Course. Palmer attended a private grand opening at the course on July 31, but will be available to sign autographs for the public after a Sunday morning golf clinic with golf trickshot specialist Dennis Walters on the LPGC driving range.
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
Schedule of Events for the 16th-annual Jimmy V Celebrity Classic
Friday, August 14
6:30 p.m. Wine & Dine for Cancer Research
An evening of wine and gourmet foods celebrating three of the area's top universities:
North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, and Duke University.
The V Foundation will celebrate its partnership with each school in "wine caves" that
will each have a unique menu and wine pairings.
Location: Raleigh Civic & Convention Center/Cocktail Attire
Saturday, August 15
8:30 a.m. Racquets for Research
Tennis enthusiasts from around the Triangle can gather together for a day of fun and philanthropy.
Location: Raleigh Racquet Club
9 a.m. The fourth-annual Nike Cup Presented by Nike Golf
A competitive round of golf played by the golfing sponsors and celebrities. This tournament
is closed to the public.
Location: Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State University, Raleigh
10:30 a.m. Scientific Symposium & Exhibition
Doctors and researchers will speak about developments in cancer research made
in our own community. Speakers will include members of The V Foundation's Scientific
Advisory Board, a panel of the best scientists, doctors, and PhDs in the cancer research field.
Location: Raleigh Civic & Convention Center
6 p.m. V GALA for Cancer Research
Enjoy a fabulous dinner while bidding on live auction items followed by live entertainment
by Lyle Lovett and His Large Band.
Location: Raleigh Civic & Convention Center/Black Tie
Sunday, August 16
9: 30 am The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic
Come watch celebrities and sponsors in a competitive round of golf.
Location: Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State University, Raleigh
8:00 a.m. Gates open for spectators
9:15 a.m. NC State University ROTC presents the colors.
9:30 a.m. Ceremonial first swing by golf legend and course designer, Arnold Palmer
10 a.m. Dennis Walters & Arnold Palmer golf clinic
The show is a demonstration of precision golf from start to finish. Paralyzed
in a golfing accident, Dennis' message is that with hard work and perseverance,
you can achieve success at almost anything. Golf legend and King of Golf Arnold
Palmer will kick off the Clinic before touring the course.
Courtesy: NC State
