Crystal Ball, Olympic Gala to Feature Olympic Medalist, John Naber

On Saturday, April 8, 2006, John Naber will be the keynote for the 15th annual Crystal Ball, Olympic Gala to be held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. Naber won four gold medals and a silver at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. A specialist in the backstroke, Naber competed at the University of Southern California where he won 15 collegiate championships. Naber also won three gold medals at the 1975 Pan-American Games. In 1976, Naber became the first swimmer to break the 2-minute barrier in the 200-metre backstroke, winning the gold and setting a world record (1 min 59.19 sec) that would stand for seven years. Naber also competed for the US team that won gold medals in the 400-metre medley relay and the 800-metre freestyle relay. Naber received the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award as the best American amateur athlete of 1977. He is a member of the US Olympic Hall of Fame. Today Naber is a sports commentator for the Olympics and other key sports events. He is being sponsored by Xerox Corporation.

In addition to being the keynote speaker at the gala, Naber will conduct a swimming clinic for Special Olympics athletes and swimmers at the School of the Holy Childhood’s pool on Saturday morning.

Gala co-chairs are Tony DiCesare and Cindee Gray. Auction Chair is Lori Ramsperger assisted by co-chairs Cathy Smith and Tom McDonough. New and Returning Committee Members of the gala core and auction committee are Tom Ahern, Ron Billitier, Jr., Dawn Bir, Mike Borrelli, Bill Broomfield, David Cooper, Dave Crean Donna Dedee, Joseph Di Leo, Debbie Dodge, Robin Finnerty, Julie Foster, Rose Mary Hardick, George Karrat, Carl Langsenkamp, Joanne Laudisi, Bari Lee, Sharon Levine, Peter McCrossen, Andy Meloni, Todd Plouffe, Chandra Pointer, Steve Rossi, Jim Schrader, Bruce Zicari, Pam Shufelt, LouAnn Genevieve and Laura Diehl. The Gala planning committee is currently recruiting new patrons and sponsors of the event.

Each year the gala draws 650 attendees who support the year long program of sports training and competition for 3200 athletes in the Genesee Region. The opening theme is Ordinary Miracles, Extraordinary Moments. Mason Selkowitz McDermott Marketing is working on the theme presentation and the invitation.

Sometimes 3 is the band for the event…a new band to Special Olympics but a band well know in the community.

Auction items are being solicited and the components for the Disney Raffle are coming into play. Tickets have been secured for the PGA in Chicago in August.

Presenting sponsorship is $5,000, Event Sponsorship is $2500 and Patron Sponsors can sign on at $1200. The individual ticket cost is $125. To reserve your table or ticket call the Special Olympics office at 586-7400.