Jim Calhoun will be honored at this year's 8th annual Dick Vitale Gala on Friday, May 17 at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Fla.

Others honored at the event will include Bill Self and Bobby Bowden. Should be a nice birthday gift for Calhoun, who'll turn 71 a week earlier.

Net proceeds from the event will be awarded to pediatric cancer research and related programs through The V Foundation. Last year, the Gala raised a record $2.1 million, bringing the total of funds raised to $8.6 million since the event's inception in 2006. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. A raffle drawing for a Mars Red Mercedes E350A convertible will also occur during the Gala. Tickets for the raffle are $100 and winners do not need to be in attendance for the drawing.

More information about The V Foundation and the Eighth Annual Dick Vitale Gala is provided in the attached press release. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or visit www.jimmyv.org/vitale.