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Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health Hosts 25th Annual “SportsBall” Black Tie & Sneakers Gala October 2nd

Oct 1, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: John Gillespie | John.Gillespie@downstate.edu | (718)270-2262

Noted Leaders in Sports, Philanthropy, Business, Entertainment and Medicine Gather to Support the Institute’s Community Health and Research Initiatives

BROOKLYN, NY – On Wednesday, October 2nd, hundreds of prominent New Yorkers from the worlds of sports, business, entertainment and medicine will don their best tuxes and kicks to support the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health at SportsBall 2019. This annual “Black Tie & Sneakers” gala honors individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to urban communities in the areas of health, education, medical research, community service and philanthropy.

This marks the 25th year for the SportsBall gala, which will be co-hosted by Spectrum News NY1 anchor and reporter Ruschell Boone and Inside Edition senior correspondent Les Trent.

Last year’s SportsBall raised more than $150,000 to support the Institute’s community health education programs and research initiatives, which benefit more than 3000 people each year.

SportsBall2019 will include an award reception for the four honorees, listed below, plus a silent auction and interactive activities for all attendees.

WHAT:    Gala to benefit low-income urban communities and celebrate activists

WHO:      VIP attendees including former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins and other philanthropists, actresses, artists, and journalists.
                Honorees:

  • Stan Smith, President, International Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Cheryl Wills, anchor for Spectrum NY1 
  • Guy Vickers, President of the PVH Foundation
  • Sydney C. Butts, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

WHEN:    Wednesday, October 2, 2019
                6:00 PM

WHERE:  Grand Hyatt Hotel
                109 E 42nd St
                New York, NY 10017

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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is the borough’s only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care, and is a 342-bed facility serving the healthcare needs of New York City, and Brooklyn’s 2.6 million residents. University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) is Downstate’s teaching hospital, backed by the expertise of an outstanding medical school and the research facilities of a world-class academic center. More than 800 physicians, representing 53 specialties and subspecialties—many of them ranked as tops in their fields—comprise Downstate's staff.

A regional center for cardiac care, neonatal and high-risk infant services, pediatric dialysis, and transplantation, Downstate also houses a major learning center for children with physical ailments or neurological disorders. In addition to UHB, Downstate comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, a School of Public Health, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative, including the Downstate Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. For more information, visit www.downstate.edu or follow us on Twitter at @sunydownstate.