Providence, R.I.--The Mal Brown Club, the Greater Providence Chapter of the Providence College National Alumni Association, will honor John Marinatto '79, commissioner-elect of the BIG EAST Conference, and four others at its annual Awards Night on Thursday, April 16.

The event will be held in the Ryan Concert Hall in the Smith Center for the Arts beginning at 5:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Mal Brown Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to deserving PC undergraduates from Greater Providence.

Marinatto, who has served as senior associate commissioner of the BIG EAST since 2002, will receive the club's Mal Brown Award--given to the alumnus or alumna whose life has exemplified a love and loyalty to PC.

Marinatto, who will replace Mike Tranghese as BIG EAST commissioner in July, was the College's athletic director from 1987-2001. He directed all aspects of the Friar athletic program, including a $10 million annual budget and a staff of more than 100 employees.

While at Providence, Marinatto also served as the chairman of the BIG EAST Athletic Directors' Executive Committee from 1996-2000--the longest tenure of any athletic director in the history of the conference--and served the conference as the chairman of the Athletic Directors' Finance Committee from 1992-93.

Others awarded for service to PC
In addition to Marinatto, the Mal Brown Club will honor two other graduates and two student-athletes.

• Robert Ferreira '83, assistant vice president for alumni relations, will receive the Very Rev. Vincent C. Dore, O.P. Award. This award honors members of the College community whose contributions to the College throughout the years have been manifold yet who remain unpretentious in their service.
• Michael Lombardi '78, president and general manager of Cranston (R.I.) Country Club, will receive the Dr. William A. McDonnell Award. Named after the late Dr. William A. McDonnell '36, the award is presented to individuals who have given unselfishly of themselves to further the cause of PC.
• Men's ice hockey player Kyle Laughlin '09 of Gambrills, Md., will receive the Joseph V. MacAndrew Award. This honor is given to a male senior varsity athlete who has achieved an outstanding level of performance in academics and athletics during his undergraduate career.
• Volleyball student-athlete Elizabeth Flynn '09 of Bellerose, N.Y., will receive the Helen Bert Award. This honor is given to a female senior varsity athlete who has achieved an outstanding level of performance in academics and athletics during her undergraduate career.

The night will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards presentation at 6:45 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served at 8:15 p.m. For tickets, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 401-865-1909.

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