Rick Pitino, above, and Billy Donovan ’87, below, will return to Providence next May for a special celebration honoring the 1987 PC men’s basketball team, which advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

A special gala event to honor the team will be held on May 12, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. The celebration, announced at a September 14 press conference at the convention center, is open to all Friar fans.

Tables of 10 can be reserved for $1,500, and general admission tickets can be purchased for $87. Sponsorship packages also are available. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Friar Athletic Fund. For tickets, sponsorship information, and other questions, contact Steve Napolillo '98, associate athletic director for the Friar Athletic Fund, at (401) 865-2677 or at snapolil@providence.edu.

The 1987 PC men’s basketball team was the last and only the second ever in school history to advance to the Final Four in New Orleans, La. Coach Rick Pitino’s Friars were a gritty group of players led by Billy Donovan ’87, Delray Brooks ’88, Ernie “Pop” Lewis ’87, and Dave Kipfer ’87. The Friars finished with a 25-9 record.

Many members of the team and staff, including Pitino and Donovan, will attend the anniversary gala. ESPN college basketball experts Sean McDonough and Bill Raftery will serve as emcees for the event.