This is another good idea by the Sports Council ...


The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce (GNHCC) Sports Council will host its first ‘Courtside Chat’ event on Wednesday, October 28, 12-1:30 p.m. at the TD Bank Sports Center on the York Hill campus of Quinnipiac University.

All 10 area men’s and women’s basketball coaches from Albertus Magnus College, Quinnipiac University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of New Haven and Yale University will gather together to discuss the upcoming campaign. Sports Director Rich Coppola from Fox 61 will serve as moderator. The function will provide an opportunity for local professionals to network and enjoy an exciting afternoon of college basketball chatter.

The event will run from 12-1:30 p.m. Free for GNHCC members. The cost is $10 for non-members. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Quinnipiac University Athletics.

For more information, or to sign up for the event, please log on to www.gnhcc.com or call 203-782-4342.

Former Stanford and Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway is the recipient of the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s "Man of the Year" award.

Elway joins a distinguished list of former "Man of the Year" winners, including Roger Staubach (Navy), Gale Sayers (Kansas), Dick Butkus (Illinois) and last year’s recipient Morten Andersen (Michigan State).

The Walter Camp "Man of the Year" award honors an individual who has been closely associated with the game of football as a player, coach or close attendant to the game. He must have attained a measure of success and been a leader in his chosen profession. He must have contributed to the public service for the benefit of his community, country and his fellow man. He must have an impeccable reputation for integrity and must be dedicated to our American Heritage and the philosophy of Walter Camp.

"John Elway’s heroics and remarkable success on the football field are well known, but his continuing support of the game of football and the greater good symbolizes the life of Walter Camp and make John a deserving recipient of the Man of the Year Award," said Foundation president Alphonse Paolillo, Jr.

After a storied scholastic career, Elway played at Stanford and set numerous school and Pac-10 offensive records. Elway earned Walter Camp All-America honors in 1982. Elway was the first player selected — by the Baltimore Colts — in the 1983 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Broncos a week later. Elway also played baseball at Stanford and was the top selection of the New York Yankees in the 1981 summer draft just two years after being drafted by the Kansas City Royals.

The NFL’s career leader in wins by a quarterback, Elway played 16 seasons and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1987 and the AFC Player of the Year in 1993. Elway is the only player in NFL history to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 200 yards in the same season for seven straight years (1985-91).

Elway, as well as all of the major award winners and members of the 2009 Walter Camp All-America team, will be honored at the organization’s 42nd annual national awards banquet on Jan. 16 at the Yale University Commons. Sponsorships and dinner tickets are available by calling 288-CAMP.

For more information on the Walter Camp Football Foundation click here.

The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame has selected unbeaten world light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson of New Haven as its 2009 Pro Fighter of the Year. It is the third time in the last four years Dawson has won the award. Manchester featherweight Matt Remillard won the award in 2008.

Dawson (28-0) won a decision over Antonio Tarver in May to retain his International Boxing Federation light heavyweight crown. Dawson will take on Glenn Johnson for the interim World Boxing Council title on Nov. 7 at the XL Center in Hartford.

The CBHOF Amateur Fighter of the Year is Luis Rosa of New Haven.

The CBHOF achievement award will be presented to Paul Cichon of East Hartford, the former director of the Manchester Police Athletic League boxing program.

Phyllis Roy of Glastonbury, who is affiliated with USA Boxing in Connecticut, is the Official of the Year.

John Scully, Vito Tallarita, Danny Cosgrove, Julie Kogon, Sal DiMartino and Jack Delaney comprise the 2009 induction class. CBHOF’s annual dinner will take place on Nov. 21 at the Mohegan Sun. Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood will be the master of ceremonies. Tickets, which are $75, can be obtained by calling Sherman Cain at 860-646-0500 (extension 321) or Mike Murtha at 860 862-7586.

For more on the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame click here.

(Associated Press photo)

Got this from James Blake's PR firm. For a very good cause, and something James has worked really hard to develop since his father passed.

James Blake announced that he will host a tennis exhibition, BackOffice Associates Serving For A Cure with James Blake, presented by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, with former World No. 1, Grand Slam champion and friend Andy Roddick, to raise money for Thomas Blake, Sr., Memorial Research Fund, which he established to support cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The event will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Pier 94 in New York City.

All of the net proceeds from the event will benefit the Fund, named in memory of his father, Thomas Blake, Sr., who died of gastric cancer in 2004. To date, Blake has raised more than $1.5 million through his exhibitions, J-Block merchandise sales, and donations to support research into the early detection and screening of cancer.

“I am grateful to BackOffice Associates for stepping up to sponsor this event, and to my good friend Andy Roddick, for his willingness to help support a cause that is close to my heart,” said Blake. “I can’t think of a better way to raise money for leading-edge cancer research than to play tennis, entertain fans, and have a party afterwards. I want to invite everyone to come out for a memorable evening that will benefit such an important cause.”

"Too many families have been affected by cancer, including my family and the families of our employees," said Trish Kennedy, CEO, BackOffice Associates. "We are proud to partner with James Blake and his foundation, as well as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, in this endeavor. James and Memorial Sloan-Kettering are true leaders in the race to find a cure for cancer."

In addition to the exhibition between Blake and Roddick, the event will also include an after party that will feature a celebrity musical performance, a selection of food from a variety of high profile New York City restaurants, and fashion show featuring Blake’s new clothing line, the Thomas Reynolds Collection by Fila. Other tennis participants for the exhibition will be named at a later date.

Blake has hosted exhibitions the past three years featuring numerous celebrities and athletes such as future Hall of Famer Andre Agassi, superstar Serena Williams, and world-renowned musical artists John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw. James is proud to continue this event with the support of presenting sponsor Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, who has picked up the torch from their sister company Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Virginia and the support of his Virginia-based charitable event, Anthem Live!.

"We are happy to extend the support of our sister company in Virginia to work with James as his organization continues their great work with Memorial Sloan-Kettering," said Mark Wagar, president and CEO, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. "This event highlights the importance of supporting programs that drive health and wellness in the communities where our millions of members reside, as Empire has done since its beginnings 75 years ago."

Tickets for the event are now available for $500 (VIP seat, meet and greet with the players, and the after party), $250 (box seat and the after party), $150 (box seat or after party), and $75 for kids (box seat). For more information about BackOffice Associates Serving For A Cure with James Blake, presented by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and to purchase tickets, call 1-866-840-8822 or visit www.jamesblaketennis.com and www.mskcc.org/jamesblake.

Nice story on New Haven's D.J. McAulay, who had seven catches for 100 yards today for William & Mary.

McAulay is the leading receiver for William & Mary this season.