SYRACUSE, N.Y.— In 2000, Syracuse University Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim and his wife Juli hosted the inaugural Basket Ball Gala. Two years later, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield joined as the presenting sponsor. This unstoppable team has since raised nearly $4 million to fight cancer. This year, the 12th Annual event will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.
“Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to continue its long-standing support of the Basket Ball Gala and the tremendous work being done by the Boeheim Foundation.” said Arthur Vercillo, M.D., regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “As a nonprofit company that seeks to continually improve the health and health care of residents of upstate New York, we share Juli and Jim Boeheim's passion to fight cancer. Their continued efforts to raise funds that support research and advocacy efforts are not only commendable, but truly needed – as more than 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year.”
The 2011 Coaches vs. Cancer Basket Ball is an exciting event for an important cause, said Juli Boeheim and “We are grateful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its support over the past ten years. Thanks to their faith in the Boeheim Foundation, we are able to provide financial support to organizations that provide critical services to cancer patients in Central New York and those meeting the needs of our most vulnerable group, our children.
The 2011 MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award will be presented to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for their outstanding support of the Basket Ball.
For the second time, the band Classified will provide the hot brass, cool sounds that this Utica group is known for during the dinner hour and then dance music throughout the night. Live and silent auction items include tickets to the 2012 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans, SU season tickets, SU sports memorabilia, certificates for exotic travel, gourmet dining and so much more.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is joined by the following sponsors: Metro Mattress; Manny's; SideArm Sports; Oneida Indian Nation; SRC; Upstate Radiation Oncology; Tuxedo Junction; Eric Mower and Associates; Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc; Fitness Forum; former MVP award winner Joyce Hergenhan; Scherzi Photograph; Ansun Graphics; and Northeast Decorating. Galaxy Communications returns as the media sponsor for the Basket Ball.
m. Lemp Jewelers is returning as a sponsor with their generous support for the raffle item. This year's item will be an exquisite black and white diamond piece with an approximate retail value of $12,000. Tickets for the raffle will be sold only at the event.
Co-chairing the event with Juli and
Jim Boeheim for the fourth year will be Peggy and Jim Carrick, close friends of the Boeheim's and huge Syracuse University basketball fans.
Sponsorship packets and tickets for the Basket Ball are available through the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation by calling 315-443-1877 or toll free at 1-877-219-4141. Tickets are $300 each.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, is part of a family of companies that finances and delivers vital health care services to 1.7 million people across upstate New York. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield provides access to high-quality, affordable health coverage, including valuable health-related resources that our members use every day, such as cost-saving prescription drug discounts and wellness tracking tools in our Step Up program. To learn more, visit excellusbcbs.com.
The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation strives to enrich the lives of kids in need within our Central New York Community, as well as, provide support for eliminating cancer through research and advocacy.
