by Amanda McCall, WTRF - MORGANTOWN  --  WVU and NBA legend Jerry West was the keynote speaker at this year's graduation for the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences ceremony; not only was a speaker but also a proud as his son graduated Sunday. Jerry's son, Jonnie West graduated with a degree is sports management and will continue grad work at WVU next year but will not play his last year of eligibility with the Mountaineers next season.

Jerry says he talked it over with his son about the decision, he wishes nothing but

San Francisco Chronicle - When Vernon Davis does finally get to the Sistine Chapel, he'll be a little closer to the "Creation of Adam" than most visitors. At 6 feet 3 and 250 pounds, the pass-catching tight end definitely stands out in a crowd.

Tonight the San Francisco 49er with the heart of an artist hopes to pass on his message to kids, headlining the first Art Impact speaker series at the Koret Auditorium in the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, followed by a fundraiser for the Vernon Davis Visual Arts Scholarship Fund at Morton's Steakhouse.

The Art Impact series is a joint effort from the

Ct Post - NEW HAVEN -- Apolo Ohno has earned a lot of hardware in his athletic career, including eight Olympic medals in short track speedskating, making him the most decorated American athlete to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, and one glittering mirror ball trophy from ABC-TV's "Dancing with the Stars."

Ohno, 27, already enjoyed rock star treatment as a result of his Olympic pursuits in 2002, 2006 and 2010, and his turn on the dance floor with partner Julianne Hough catapulted him into superstardom, which was evident Wednesday night at Southern Connecticut State University, where Ohno delivered the 12th annual Mary and

By Lynn Russo Whylly, allvoices - Italian clothing designer Canali prides itself on 76 years of success and a sense of style that is unmatched. So it was important to the company to find a spokesmodel that fit its distinguished image. They apparently found such a man in the New York Yankees pitcher Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera.

A quiet family man, married with three children, Rivera posed for several photos in March that Canali is using to launch its new collection of men’s business and casual dress clothes in the United States.

The company states on its website: “The decision to choose a sports star as testimonial for the

South Bend Tribune - GOSHEN — Gale Sayers will be the keynote speaker at Goshen Center for Cancer’s sixth annual True Celebration program at 2 p.m. May 16 at Sauder Hall Performing Arts Center on the Goshen College campus.

True Celebration is an annual event recognizing those who are facing their fight against cancer. Area cancer survivors and community member are invited to the free event.

Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., and early arrival is recommended as seating will be limited. No tickets are required.

The Performing Arts Center is located on College Avenue and 12th St.

Online Casino News - One of America’s most controversial sports personalities, former NBA player Dennis Rodman, has reportedly signed a deal to serve as a celebrity spokesperson for Curacao-licensed OnlyPoker.com.

According to numerous reports, the 48-year-old former Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons player signed the sponsorship deal last week with the online poker site currently displaying a photo of Rodman featuring the caption ‘The Bad Boy Is Back’.
Rodman played in the NBA for 14 seasons beginning in 1986 and led the league in rebounds per game for a record seven consecutive years. He won five NBA championships and is listed on the Cake Poker Network

WNDU-TV - NBA legend, Earvin Magic Johnson wasthe keynote speaker at a fundraiser for the Benton Harbor School District Sunday night.

Johnson spoke at 6:30 at Lake Michigan College.

There was a meet and greet session with Magic Johnson earlier Sunday afternoon.

According to our reporting partners at WSJM, the plan is to raise money for scholarships for district graduates.

Ticket sales netted about 35,000 of the $50.000 goal.

Sunday night, a silent auction with Magic Johnson memorabilia brought in the $15,000 needed to reach the goal.

“His message is what counted. Education is so important. He wouldn't be where he is today if he didn't have the

By Today's Sunbeam, NJ.com - PITTSGROVE TWP. — The Salem County Chamber of Commerce’s 43rd Annual Shad Banquet is fast approaching.

The event will be held Thursday, April 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Centerton Country Club here.

Keynote speaker will be Ron “Jaws” Jaworksi, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Super Bowl champion, on-air personality and successful business owner.

At the dinner the chamber will also name its Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Tickets are $45 per person.

The buffet menu will include boneless shad with traditional trimmings of cucumber salad, fresh asparagus, new potatoes and rhubarb crisp as well as alternate entrée selections to please each guest’s palate.

The Detroit News - Dearborn -- Former boxing champion Laila Ali was the keynote speaker at a luncheon Saturday in which Kroger honored students who participated in a Black History Month contest.

Nearly 1,000 students in the fourth through 12th grades entered submissions in art, poetry, essay writing and music categories as part of the grocer's I Can Make History contest. Of that group, 70 won prizes.

Kroger awarded $45,600 in scholarships, laptop computers and family field trips as part of the ceremony held at the Henry Ford in Dearborn.

Laila Ali is the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who owns a farm in Berrien Springs

By Sheldon S. Shafer , Louisville Courier-Journal - Pro basketball legend Julius Erving, perhaps better known as Dr. J, will be the keynote speaker at the 54th annual “They're Off!” Luncheon, scheduled for April 16 at the Galt House Hotel & Suites Grand Ballroom.

The American Red Cross

About 2,000 people usually attend the luncheon, the traditional opening of the Kentucky Derby Festival, which this year is sponsored by Norton Healthcare, with Business First as the contributing sponsor. Activities start at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $76, and availability is limited. For information, call 584-FEST.

Erving, who began his career with the American Basketball Association, joined the National Basketball Association after the

James Gregg Arizona Daily Star - Hundreds of competitors and supporters braved obstacles and climbing walls spread through a 5K run Saturday.

They were rewarded with a screaming barrage of U.S. Army soldiers who surrounded them in a final push through a mud pit, capping off the second annual Beat Cancer Boot Camp Challenge at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road.

Proceeds from entry fees, merchandise sales and sponsorships went to support the Beat Cancer Boot Camp, founded by "Sarge" Anita Kellman as a support group for cancer patients and survivors built around fitness and survival rather than self-pity.

Competitor Lynn Bunstine, covered head to toe in

By eTN Staff Writer, eTurboNews - The 2010 National Business Travel Association (NBTA) International Convention & Exposition is scheduled to be held from August 8 to 11 in Houston, Texas, and will feature US Olympian Lance Armstrong as a keynote speaker.

After surviving testicular cancer, Lance went on to win seven Tour de France titles, claiming his status as one of the most-honored athletes in the world. Armstrong became a professional cyclist at the age of 16, quickly proving himself with stage victories in the Tour de France, a No. 1 world ranking, and a spot on the US Cycling Team in 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Soon

By D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal Constitution - After his first full NFL season in retirement, former Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy has found joy off the field.

He served as a studio analyst on NBC, and that kept him close to the game, but his off-the-field projects are now his main focus.

One of his passions is serving as the national spokesman for All Pro Dad, the fatherhood program of Family First, a national nonprofit organization based in Tampa.

Dungy will be in town to speak to about 325 kids and their dads at Stonewall Tell Elementary School on Friday in Atlanta, before heading to the

By Dave D'Alessandro/The Star-Ledger, The Star-Ledger - Seated courtside watching the Nets and Sixers Wednesday night at Wachovia Center was the greatest point guard in NBA history, who was in town for a speaking engagement. And to his credit, Magic Johnson didn’t shield his eyes from the fiasco, or let the Nets’ presence affect his perpetually upbeat mood.

Q. Did you ever think in your lifetime that you’d see a 7-61 team?

MAGIC: No. No. It’s not good for our league,and it’s not good for the Nets. And the worst part of it is they may not even get the first pick. So I’m hoping those lottery balls fall

By Mechelle Voepel, ESPN (blog) - Friday marked our annual Women's Sports Awards Luncheon event in Kansas City. It benefits an organization called Win for K.C., a local incarnation of what the Women's Sports Foundation is nationally.

It's an inspiring, energy-charged event, and this year was especially a big deal, with women's sports legend Billie Jean King as keynote speaker. She started the WSF back in 1974, so this was her chance to see the microcosm of her life's work represented in this Midwestern community.

Among the award winners this year was a 73-year-old grandmother who has run 97 marathons. Yes -- 97! Her goal is to reach

CMR - Danica Patrick, Indy Driver and celebrity sponsor, is making her NASCAR debut today in the ARCA racing series at Daytona. Patrick will start 12th in the field. This will be her first appearance in what will surely be many appearances in NASCAR. Danica has only been running a few practice sessions so she will get her training “on the job” so to speak. Patrick talked of how friendly and helpful everyone has been around her. She got help in drafting from Juan Montoya, who also made the jump from INDY to NASCAR. Patrick said, “”I’ve never spoken to Juan before.

By Jason Garcia and Sara K. Clarke, Orlando Sentinel - When AirTran Airways unveiled an Orlando Magic-themed Boeing 717 last week, the newly painted jet came with a celebrity endorsement: NBA star Dwight Howard.

Howard, the Orlando Magic center and a fan favorite, will endorse the airline in radio spots, online advertising and billboards.

Howard joins AirTran's other celebrity endorsers, including NFL quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Donovan McNabb, Major League Baseball players Ryan Braun and Tom Glavine, and race-car driver Danica Patrick.
No endorsements were forthcoming from the Orlando-based airline's pilots union, some of whose members picketed the carrier last week at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, Wis.

In addition to serving as a

By Rahul Vaidyanath, The Epoch Times - As the decade comes to a close, three sports persona come to mind as exemplifying success and admirable conduct. Too many times, we hear stories about athletes making too much money too soon in life and doing the wrong things. Instead, let’s celebrate success and exemplary behavior.

Tony Dungy, Steve Nash, and Roger Federer have enjoyed remarkable success in the decade of the 2000s. They are the true sports role models for kids because of their demeanor and conduct on and off the sporting stage.

'Quiet Strength'
Tony Dungy took over the reigns of the Indianapolis Colts in January 2002 and promptly turned