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SEC personalities help Dick Vitale gala raise $5 million toward pediatric cancer research
By Keith Farner
Published:
Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl and Florida football coach Dan Mullen were among the personalities on hand Friday night in Sarasota, Florida to help ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale raise $5 million at a gala to support pediatric cancer research.
This was the 16th annual event, and over the years, Vitale has raised some $42 million toward the cause, according to WWSB. Mullen shared a picture on Instagram with former Florida QB Kyle Trask. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians and ESPN’s Kevin Neghandi and wrestler Titus O’Neil were among a who’s who list of guests from the sports world.
The event honored Mullen, Pearl, former Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt with a cocktail hour before the assembled group moved into the ballroom for the evening dinner and program, YourObserver.com reported.
Wonderful leaders and terrific people. Our honorees for tonight’s Gala: @notthefakeSVP @coachbrucepearl @MuffetMcGraw @CoachDanMullen, plus new @TheVFoundation CEO Shane Jacobson pic.twitter.com/UMng52XfHc
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 7, 2021
The STAR of STARS our ALL COURAGEOUS TEAM (cancer survivors ) yes the Sold Out crowd was treated to outstanding presentations by our Honorees. It was #awesomebaby We definitely exceeded our goal of $5 million ! https://t.co/l5enNIb9UR
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 8, 2021
Our final # is not compiled but I can report that our Gala was a smashing SUCCESS asI won my NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP as we raised in excess of $5 MILLION . #awesomebaby to benefit kids vs cancer thru @thevfoundation https://t.co/7eqMT7iNOS
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 8, 2021
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A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.