Oct. 3, 2002
Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 3, 2002) - The Loyola Marymount University men's basketball team will host the second annual Men's Basketball Tip-Off Dinner, Nov. 2, 2002 in University Hall on the campus of Loyola Marymount University.
The dinner will recognize and feature former LMU alum and former men's basketball and volleyball star, Paul Sunderland. The evening will start at 5:30 p.m. with a "no-host" cocktail reception with dinner following at 7 p.m.
"Last year we wanted to develop an evening that fans of the program and Loyola Marymount University could come and celebrate LMU basketball and the upcoming season," said Head Coach Steve Aggers, in his third season at the helm of the program. "The Tip-Off dinner was an overwhelming success and we hope to improve on it this year."
In 2001 the dinner featured basketball Hall of Fame member and coaching legend Pete Newell. A graduate of Loyola in 1939, Newell brought his experience of the college game and his two national championships to the more than 250 in attendance during last year's dinner.
"Pete was such a pleasure to have at the first Tip-Off dinner," said Aggers. "To have Paul as our guest this year is a great honor and will help us establish a wonderful tradition with this event."
Recently given the opportunity of follow the Los Angeles Lakers legendary play-by-play announcer, Chick Hearn, Sunderland has proven more than up to the task. Covering for Hearn during 52 games in the 2001-02 NBA season, Sunderland continued to solidify reputation in sports broadcasting.
Sunderland has logged many hours for both Fox Sports Net and NBC Sports, serving as a play-by-play and studio host of NBA basketball, including both the Lakers and the Clippers. He has also worked the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games for NBC, anchored the network's sports desk, covered the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tour, college football, World Cup Skiing and Snowboarding, the U.S. Mountain Bike Championships, and hosted Dodger baseball games.
The versatility he has shown in the broadcast booth was also evident as an athlete. A two-sport letterwinner, Sunderland played basketball at the University of Oregon before coming to LMU. With the Lions he played both basketball and volleyball.
It was the volleyball court that Sunderland earned national recognition. Named a volleyball All-American at LMU, Sunderland went on to be a member of the U.S. National Volleyball team for 10 years. He was a three-time U.S. Player of the Year (1978, 79, 82) while playing in the 1978 and 1982 World Championships. As a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Sunderland would help lead the team to the Gold Medal.
The dinner will also feature Aggers preview of the upcoming season, the Lion players, a live band and much more.
Tickets are $50. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Assistant Coach Richard Reed at (310) 338-4506 or Faith Sauerwald at (310) 338-4504.
-GO LIONS-
