Jim Calhoun was honored last night at the eighth annual Dick Vitale Gala, which raised money for the fight against pediatric cancer through the V Foundation for Cancer Research, along with Bobby Bowden and Bill Self. Among the celebrities in attendance were Billy Donovan, Jim Larranaga, Tom Izzo and Jay Wright. Here's the press release sent out by the V Foundation:

Celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment crowded the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota on Friday for the Eighth Annual Dick Vitale Gala to raise money in the fight against pediatric cancer through The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The event was hosted by ESPN’s Dan Shulman and honored three sports icons: former Florida State University and Hall of Fame football coach Bobby Bowden, former University of Connecticut and Hall of Fame basketball coach Jim Calhoun, and University of Kansas head men’s basketball coach Bill Self.


The sold out event hosted more than 800 people and featured over 70 celebrities. Attendees included the this year’s ACC championship coach University of Miami’s Jim Larranaga, back-to-back national championship coach University of Florida’s Billy Donovan, and former Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg. Other NCAA men’s basketball coaches in attendance included Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, NC State’s Mark Gottfried and Villanova’s Jay Wright. Attendees enjoyed an after party with live music from The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.

Since the event’s inception in 2006, the Vitale Gala has raised more than $10 million for cancer research. This year, net proceeds of the event will benefit pediatric cancer research.

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.