Another Record... 2000 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic Approaches $7 Million Mark With 2000 Donation.

Business Editors

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2000

The 2000 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic announced today that it raised a record $1.85 million for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

This total tops last year's $1.3 million and is the third year in a row the Classic has raised at least $1,000,000.

"The $1.85 million is just an incredible figure when you consider where we started seven years ago," said Frank McCann, Tournament Executive Director.

The first Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic was held in August 1994 and raised $350,000. Former N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano conceived the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic before his death from cancer in 1993. With this latest donation, the Classic has donated nearly $7 million, making it the largest single fund-raiser for The V Foundation. Since its founding in 1993, The V Foundation has raised more than $18 million for cancer research and awarded over 120 research grants.

The record-breaking donation is due in part to the huge success of the silent and live auction at this year's annual V Gala. A highlight from this year's live auction was an item that included a guest spot as a weather forecaster on ABC's Good Morning America. Charles Barkley, a Classic regular, was the high bidder and will make his weather debut early next year.

"Jimmy would be so proud of all the effort that has gone into making this tournament so successful," added Dick Vitale, V Foundation board member and Valvano's close friend. "It's unbelievable how much the Classic has grown since that first year. It's a tribute to the celebrities, sponsors and volunteers that keep Jim's dream alive."

"The success of the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic continues to inspire us to work hard to make our dream of beating this disease a reality," said Nick Valvano, CEO of the V Foundation. "In just seven tournaments, it has established itself as one of the premier celebrity golf tournaments in the country, and has allowed us to raise significant funds for cancer research."

Held on the last weekend in August each year, the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic draws well-known sports and entertainment personalities as participants. The 2000 Classic featured more than 100 celebrities, including Charles Barkley, Gale Sayers, Kimberlin Brown, Bill Goldberg, Jack Ford, Eric Dickerson and Rush Limbaugh. In the past, the Classic has featured such stars as Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, David Robinson and Kevin Costner.

ESPN will air the 2000 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. For more information on the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic visit the Classic's Web site at http://www.golfclassic.org .