From the Sports Information Department:
Deron Williams will host the Illini Hoop Legends For Charity Dinner and Auction on Friday at 6 p.m. at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, followed by a Golf Classic on Saturday at Noon at Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana. The dinner will feature a who’s who of Illini basketball greats in the room, as Williams honors the 1989 Flyin’ Illini team that advanced to the NCAA Final Four, with many members of that ’89 squad expected to be in attendance. In addition, a lifetime achievement award has been established in honor of Jerry Colangelo. The first recipients of the Colangelo award, Mannie Jackson and Dave Downey, will be recognized at the dinner. Three of the five starters from the UI’s 2005 NCAA Runner-Up squad will be on hand as well, with Luther Head and Roger Powell joining Williams (Dee Brown and James Augustine are already in Europe for their upcoming seasons).
The events this weekend will directly benefit the Illinois Men’s Basketball program and a number of local charities through the Deron Williams Point of Hope Foundation. For more information, or to purchase tickets to attend the dinner or golf outing, contact Heather Harden by email at [email protected] or by phone at 217-351-1430 (ext. 12), or Kevin Kaplan by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 599-4483.
Illinois basketball attendees for Illini Hoop Legends For Charity (6 pm, Aug. 26, I Hotel and Conference Center):
Bruce Weber and staff
Deron Williams
Luther Head
Roger Powell
Dave Downey
Mannie Jackson
Jerry Colangelo
Nick Anderson
Kenny Battle
Marcus Liberty
Larry Smith
Deon Thomas
Jerry Hester
Jimmy Collins
Mark Coomes
Brian O’Connell
Tyler Cottingham
Mark Shapland
EJ Manzke
Ryan Baker