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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2004)
Former Duck Jones hosts annual Slam charity benefit Slam Dunk contest brings professional athletes and local youth together TOSHIO SUZUKI FREELANCE REPORTER The contestants weren't world-class, but Freddy Jones' first annual Sum mer Slam Dunk contest and three point shoot-out was a success simply because it occurred. While temperatures outside the Jef ferson High School gymnasium in Portland reached record high levels this past Saturday, the inside was slightly cooler. The heat, or lack of air conditioning, subdued the overall at tendance and excitement. "Yeah it was hot in here, but it's all about getting people out in the com munity," said Jones, who is a reserve guard for the NBA's Indiana Pacers. "This was a good situation, the com munity came out and supported it, and that's what matters." Being only a two-year veteran of the NBA, it is rare to see professional basketball players in Jones' position attempting to do so much for his or her community. This is why the event was viewed as a success despite the overall unorganized, and at times even chaotic, atmosphere. The basketball event, along with a comedy showcase at the Aladdin The atre the previous night, combined to help benefit the Big Brothers Big Sis ters of Metropolitan Portland. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization dedicated to creating valuable rela tionships for children. Today, only four percent of funding for Big Broth ers Big Sisters comes from fund-rais ing events like Jones'. "This was a good situation, the community came out and supported it, and that's what matters." — Freddy Jones Indiana Pacers reserve guard The three-point contest hardly aroused the interest of spectators as much as the first event. Former Ore gon basketball standout Alex Scales was the only competitor in both events, but failed to advance in either. The dunk contest highlighted lo cal talent that had advanced from an open tryout in Portland. The dunk contest's panel of judges featured Jones, Drew Gooden of Cleveland, Tayshaun Prince of Detroit and Jer maine O'Neal of Indiana. Some of the more impressive dunks came from the champion, Toby Sein. Sein's semifinal dunk involved him throwing the basketball off the wall 15 feet behind the backboard, while running full speed and converting the dunk. Sein's winning, 1,000 dunk for Sein was a baseline under the-leg jam. Besides the contests and NBA star power, the scene provided other forms of entertainment. The Blazer Dancers were there, along with au thentic and replica jerseys. Entertain ers, participants, and spectators all contributed to the successful small scale fundraiser that Jones believes will be better next year. "There were some missed dunks, but it was a good turnout, a pretty good contest, and it'll be better next year," Jones said. Celebrity judge and former Duck Luke Ridnour was a no-show at the event, which disappointed many in the crowd who wore Ridnour's No. 13 Oregon jersey. Toshio Suzuki is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. SPORTS BRIEF Kent named to Wooden Award board of governors Oregon men's basketball head coach Ernie Kent was named to the John R. Wooden Award's board of governors, Wooden Award chair man Richard Llewellyn announced Wednesday. Board members' responsibilities include being spokespeople for the Wooden Award and advising the Wooden Award staff on college bas ketball and issues related to the award. The board, however, is not involved in selecting the Wooden Award winner. The Wooden Award has honored the nation's best male college bas ketball players since 1977. A women's Wooden Award was added for the first time in 2003. Kent, entering his eighth season at Oregon, replaces Stanford's head coach Mike Montgomery on the board. Montgomery left Stanford in May to become head coach of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. The board of governors includes ten other college basketball head coaches from around the country, including six NCAA champions. The members are Jim Boeheim of Syra cuse, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut, Mark Gottfried of Alabama, Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Gene Keady of Purdue, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Lute Olson of Arizona, Kelvin Sampson of Oklahoma, Tubby Smith of Kentucky and Roy Williams of North Carolina. Baseball legend to speak at Oregon Classic Pete Rose will be the featured guest speaker for the 2004 Oregon Classic Pro-Am Pairings Party September 14 at the Valley River Inn. The baseball legend will deliver a 30-minute speech at the Pro-Am Pairings Party and host a question- and-answer ses sion for 200 fans before the event. "It is going to be great fun having Pete Rose in Lane County for the tournament," Oregon Classic Tour nament Director Chris Roche said. "Pete definitely will be interesting to hear speak." Rose holds Major League Base ball's career hits record at 4,256 hits. Rose, the 1975 World Series Most Valuable Player, also managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1985 to 1988. The Pro-Am Pairings Party will in clude a charitable auction that bene fits Kidsports. Tickets for the auction are by invitation only, while tickets for Rose's question- and-answer ses sion are $45 per person. The 2004 Oregon Classic is the only, four-day PGA Tour golf tour nament in Oregon. "I think our event is growing into great value," Roche said. "We are excited to see how this year's event develops." — Alex Tam OLYMPICS continued from page 5 Each qualified through the Regional Champi onships two weeks ago in an event that sees very few competitors, said the elder Forgues. "There's not many race walkers in Maine, so we automatically qualified," she said. She said she is very excited about coming to Eugene and competing at the same track meet, which has seen several notable track athletes such as Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Marion Jones and current Oregon pole vaulter Tommy Skipper star in. "It's fun to come to Hayward Field," said Lau ren Forgues, who will compete in the 5,000 me ter race walk. "This is the Mecca of running." Both have aspirations to compete at the Olympic Games one day through the coach ing of race walker Kevin Eastler, who was the 2003 U.S. 20 kilometer champion and 2000 Olympic Trials 20 kilometer runner-up. Another Olympic hopeful is 18-year-old Matt Frith from Jacksonville, Fla., who will compete in the decathlon at 10 a.m. today. After qualifying through the junior national championships, Frith said he is happy to be here with his father by his side to support him. "I'm very excited. People here really know track and I really love track," Frith said. "There are also great facilities here." Frith said his Olympic dreams include competing in the pole vault event at the 2012 Olympics at a site yet to be determined. The opening ceremonies for the Junior Olympics will be held tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m. at Hayward Field. Admission for the First two days of competition starting today is free to the public. Tickets for the last four days are $7 per adult. Children under 12 enter free. alextam@dailyemerald.com IF PLAN A FAILS, try Plan B 019428 You don't have to to get emergency.\ mmpus ception UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Health Center http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu NEEDING SPACE CLEARING CLUTTER RAISING FUNDS GROWING UP MOVING ON all good reasons for selling books we buy all year long at both locations SMIT 768 East 1 3th 345-1651 525 Willamette 343-4717 A PROUD MEMBER OF UNIQUE EUGENE FUJICOLOR Ip H 0 C E S S I II G. 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