The Dave Bing Basketball Fund - Syracuse University Athletics

Dave Bing grew up in Washington, D.C and enjoyed playing sports. People often told Dave he was too small for basketball, so he concentrated on baseball. At Washington's Spingarn High School, however, he was encouraged by basketball coach William Roundtree. In Bing's senior year he was one of seven players on the varsity squad to average double figures in scoring. Bing excelled in both baseball and basketball, but a scheduling conflict between tournaments in each sport forced him to make a choice. He opted for hoops and went on to be voted tournament MVP.

Although his skills attracted collegiate interest from such basketball powerhouses as UCLA and the University of Michigan, Bing chose Syracuse at the urging of Ernie Davis, a football All-American at Syracuse.

In three varsity seasons at SU, Bing averaged 24.6 points, earning All-America honors as a senior. He was a roommate with current SU Head Coach, Jim Boeheim ‘66 who says “Dave Bing is the best basketball player I’ve ever seen play. Ever.”

Pro scouts buzzed about Bing, and the Detroit Pistons made him the second overall pick in the 1966 NBA Draft.

His honors in the NBA are extensive. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1967; chosen as an All-NBA First Team in 1968 and '71 and an All-NBA Second Team in 1974. He received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1977. In 1990, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named “One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History” in 1996. After Bing retired from the NBA in 1978, he launched Bing Steel in Detroit in 1980. A decade later, the firm became the 10th-largest African-American-owned industrial company in the nation, according to Black Enterprise magazine's rankings. He went on to acquire Superb Manufacturing, a metal-stamping company, as well as a small construction firm. He currently heads the Bing Group, a manufacturing company that produces steel and numerous car parts. He has operations in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

The Dave Bing Basketball Fund was created by the Syracuse University Orange Pack in 1983 to honor this legendary player and man. He has been described as the perfect example of professionalism, class, dignity, and humanity. Donations to this Fund help Coach Boeheim and his staff recruit future Orangemen to SU. The goal of these Orangemen is to carry on the tradition of Syracuse University excellence established by many, including the legendary Dave Bing.

DAVE BING FUND BENEFIT LEVELS	Champion $10,000	MVP $4,000	All-American $2,000	Orange $800	Blue $600
Complimentary Travel Accommodations for Two to a Basketball Road Game (includes transportation from Syracuse, hotel and game tickets) *	X
Complimentary Admission to all Dave Bing Pre-Game Parties	X (for 4)	X (for 2)
Complimentary Admission to the Syracuse Athletic Department Golf Outing	X (foursome)	X (foursome)	X (twosome)
Complimentary Parking Pass for Home Basketball Games	X	X	X
Opportunity to Attend Private Practice with the Team	X	X
Picture Autographed by Head Coach	X	X	X
Complimentary Invitation for Two to the Annual Year-End Basketball Hardwood Banquet	X	X	X	X
Complimentary Invitation for Two to the Dave Bing Preseason Prognosis	X	X	X	X
Bonus Orange Pack Priority Points	X	X	X	X
Complimentary SU Gift	X	X	X	X
Complimentary SU Basketball Media Guide	X	X	X	X	X
Priority for Postseason & Away Game Tickets	X	X	X	X	X
Opportunity to Purchase Preferred Parking	X	X	X	X	X
Name Listed in Game Program	X	X	X	X	X

* game based on availability

At the Champion, MVP, All-American and Orange Levels, Orange Pack priority points can be accumulated at an accelerated pace. This is a significant way to upgrade your priority especially if you are just joining the Syracuse University Athletics family. If you join at one of those three levels for five consistent years, your points to the Fund will double. After ten years of continuous donations, your points to the Fund will triple. For example:

At the Champion Level - $10,000 annually you will receive 100 points (1 for each $100) and 3 points for your annual contribution – Total = 103 points

After five years of continuously donating, instead of receiving 103 points in that year for your donation you will receive 206 points. After ten years of continuous support, you will receive 309 points per year. As you can see, donating at this level will have a major effect on your Orange Pack priority points within a relatively short amount of time.