 |
Goodmon Honored at 1st Annual “Field of Dreams” Gala |
CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon was honored alongside several of Major League Baseball’s greats at the 1st Annual ALS Field of Dreams Gala on Saturday, February 2, 2002. The event, held at the Durham Marriott and Civic Center, began with a VIP reception at 5:00pm and continued with a silent auction, banquet and awards ceremony.
Baltimore Orioles 3rd baseman Cal Ripken, Jr. was an honored guest & award recipient at the gala. |
The gala raised funds to help fight ALS, an incurable and fatal illness familiarly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Lou Gehrig, first baseman for the New York Yankees, brought national recognition to ALS in 1939 when his diagnosis forced him to retire from baseball. Only two years ago, Hall of Fame pitcher & North Carolina native Jim “Catfish” Hunter also succumbed to the same disease.
Some of Major League Baseball’s brightest and best attended the gala, including honorees Cal Ripken, Jr. and Curt Schilling. Both were honored with Goodmon as recipients of the Heart Award for contributions to the community and support for ALS research and care. Helen Hunter, wife of the late Catfish Hunter, also received a Heart Award, as did Schilling’s wife, Shonda, and Ripken’s wife, Kelly.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife, Shonda, also received Heart Awards as special guests at the event. |
“When we asked for your help, you accepted graciously,” read the award plaques. “You stepped up to the plate to help us accomplish our goal of striking out ALS. You donated your resources to make the Field of Dreams gala a reality. You are a true member of the ALSA family.”
The event worked to educate people about ALS, an illness in desperate need of more focus and funding. Many former Major Leaguers, including Sparky Lyle and Jay Johnstone, were in attendance, as well as members of Catfish Hunter’s family.
CBC VP/GM Radio Networks/Baseball Clubs George Habel called the gala, “the grandest sports banquet in the history of Durham.”
*Thanks to Jim & Barbara Goodmon for these capcom photos.
