Some of the biggest names in New York sports are set to appear on May 15 at the Viscardi Center’s 48th Annual Celebrity Sports Night, which raises money to educate disabled children and give vocational training to adults.
Director of Viscardi Center Kim Brussel says this year’s event will be attended by “several dozen athletes,” including Sportsman of the Year Recipient and former New York Met Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Roy Campanella Award Recipient and Recipient of 11 Olympic/Paralympic Medals and 14 World Champion Titles Tatyana McFadden, and former New York Jet John Dockery.
Other guests include Dancing with the Stars Champion and U.S. Army Veteran J.R. Martinez and Sopranos Actor Steve Schrrippa.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Brussel. “It’s critical to our programs and services.”
The program will run from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., starting with a cocktail reception in which guests are given the opportunity to collect autographs and speak with athletes and celebrities.
“There’s a lot of one-on-one time to speak with the athletes,” says Brussel.
Following a formal dinner, there is a performance by the Henry Viscardi School that will incorporate some of the athletes into the show. A live auction will take place afterwards, which will be announced by Steve Schrrippa, with several “high-end prizes,” such as tickets to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, and a chance to watch a baseball game in the owner’s box of a stadium, according to Brussel.
“We had Steve attend last year,” Brussel said. “He was very entertaining, so we invited him back.”
Brussel explained the importance of the event not only to the Viscardi Center but to the athletes and special guests attending as well.
“They’re extremely happy to do it,” Brussel said. “We have a lot of athletes return year after year, which goes to show how happy they are to do the event.”
There is also a separate blind auction taking place currently until the time of the event where people can bid for memorabilia online, such as autographed sports equipment and pictures. The items up for bid are updated daily, Brussel said.
“This is the first time we’ve done an online auction,” he said. “There are ways to support the event even if you can’t make it, through the blind auction.
The online live auction can be found at: biddingforgood.com/sportsnight
A full list of athletes can be found at: www.viscardicenter.org/assets/css/athletes-attending.pdf
