An animated Rick Pitino, left, discusses his 1986-87 Friars alongside ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough.

Billy Donovan ’87 autographs a basketball for Sharon L. Hay, director of the College’s Office of Student-Activities-Involvement-Leadership (S.A.I.L.)/Slavin Center.

The 20th anniversary tribute to the College’s 1987 NCAA Final Four men’s basketball team attracted a sold-out audience of 1,200 and represented the largest one-time fundraising event in the Department of Athletics’ history.

“Outside of commencements, this had to be the biggest one-time event in College history . . . especially considering the dignitaries present. It was a ‘Who’s Who of Basketball,’” stated Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., associate vice president for athletics and athletic director.

Including ticket sales, donations, and an auction of basketballs autographed by 1987 team members, the May 12 tribute at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence raised “between $200,000 and $225,000, conservatively,” said Driscoll, noting that proceeds will grow as a result of the sale of commemorative items associated with the gala.

The majority of the proceeds will go into the general fund of the Friar Athletic Fund, he said. However, approximately $39,000 raised from the auction will be used toward construction of the College’s new fitness center. A portion of this money will be used to erect a plaque in honor of the 1986-87 basketball Friars in the weight-training and strengthening room for varsity student-athletes in the center.

“It was a great evening. The feeling was one of tremendous pride. We reconnected with a lot of people from that year,” said Driscoll.

ESPN broadcasters Sean McDonough and Bill Raftery were the co-masters-of-ceremony for the dinner celebration. The featured part of the program occurred when both sat on couches on a raised platform with Rick Pitino, who coached PC from 1985-87, and star player Billy Donovan ’87 and guided the crowd through a trip down memory lane.

Pitino coaches Louisville while Donovan coaches at Florida, which he directed to its second consecutive NCAA Championship in March.

College President Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 and Driscoll topped the list of speakers. Also offering remarks were BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Mike Tranghese; current Friar Head Coach Tim Welsh; Dave Gavitt ’89Hon., former PC head coach and athletic director; former PC radio play-by-play man Eric Reid; and Syracuse University Head Coach Jim Boeheim.

Pitino and Steve Napolillo ’98, PC associate athletic director for fundraising and the primary organizer of the gala, each received a wooden plaque with an embossed 1987 Final Four logo.

To purchase a commemorative video or merchandise from the gala event, contact Napolillo at snapolil@providence.edu or at (401) 865-2677.