Update 4-22-03


Hoopla!

The Almost All Andy Dolich Edition:

From Arlene Hinkemeyer, Community Information Coordinator, Valley Stream High School District:  I wanted to let you know that Valley Stream South High School and the Valley Stream local governmental leaders will be presenting a Distinguished Alumni Award to Andy Dolich on Wednesday, April 30 in a school assembly in one-half of the gym from 9:30-10:15 AM.  There's a coffee reception beforehand at 9 AM in South High Principal Dr. Stephen Lando's office, for everyone to gather.  Later, Andy will be speaking to students in "Sports & Entertainment Marketing" classes in the library.  Any fellow alumni from the Class of 1965 or thereabouts are welcome to attend.  If people from the class are attending, could they please let me know at:  hinkemea@vschsd.org   The schools are closed April 17-27 for spring recess, but I'll be back in the office April 28.  Also, following, is the news release I've sent to the local papers.  Thanks very much.

NEWS RELEASE

ANDY DOLICH ('65) TO RECEIVE VALLEY STREAM SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL'S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD, Wednesday, April 30, 9:30 AM

    Recognized as one of the nation's most innovative and respected sports executives, Andy Dolich, from the Class of 1965, will return to his alma mater on Wednesday, April 30 to receive Valley Stream South High School's Distinguished Alumni Award in a school assembly starting at 9:30 AM.  Presentations will also be made to him by Village of Valley Stream Mayor Ed Cahill, Town of Hempstead Councilman James Darcy, and Nassau County Legislator Francis X. Becker, Jr.
    President of Business Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies since May of 2000, Mr. Dolich is responsible for managing the business operations of the NBA basketball club, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, community and public relations, broadcast relationships, game entertainment, arena operations, and finance.  He led the management team that relocated the Grizzlies from Vancouver to Memphis in June 2001 and is integrally involved in the planning, marketing and administration of FedExForum, the Grizzlies new downtown arena scheduled to open in the fall of 2004.
    During his 32-year career in the area of professional sports management and marketing, Mr. Dolich has held a variety of executive positions in the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, in Major League Baseball, Pro Soccer, and Pro Lacrosse.  He began his career in 1971 with the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA).
    Dolich headed his own sports business consulting group, Dolich and Associates, from 1995-98 with a client base that included Nike, Stanford University, the University of California Berkeley, the America's Cup syndicate America One, and the United States Soccer Federation.  He was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Golden State Warriors basketball team, in 1994-95, and was a driving force behind the marketing resurgence of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, for whom he worked as vice president from 1980-94.
    While with the Oakland A's, Dolich and his marketing team increased season ticket sales from 400 to 16,000, boosted attendance from 800,000 to 2.9 million, and hosted three consecutive World Series in 1988, 1989, and 1990.  He was Executive Vice President when the A's swept the Giants in the 1989 World Series.  That became known as the Earthquake series when a 7.1 quake occurred during Game 3 in San Francisco.
    Dolich grew up in Valley Stream at 13 Forest Road in Green Acres (Mill Brook), attended Forest Road Elementary School, and then South High School, graduating in the Class of 1965.  He earned a B.A. in Government from American University and a Masters degree in Sports Management from Ohio University.  He and his wife Ellen now live in Memphis.  They have three children.
    After the awards assembly at South High School, Dolich will also speak to South students in the business education department's "Sports & Entertainment Marketing" classes.


I sent congratulations to Andy, of course.  He modestly responded:  "Thanks, now our class has two."  Any way you look at it, it's neat, and I hope some people from our class manage to attend.

Speaking of which -- Update from Paul DeMartino, about the 38th reunion:  the mini-reunion set for Saturday, May 3rd has been moved to Robin Feit Baker's house.  It had been scheduled for Lily Flannagan's, but there was a booking problem with a larger party set for the same time.  That would leave us relegated to a small corner.  Robin graciously came to the rescue and offered her newly renovated den, which is large enough to hold our party.  Therefore, the party is at Robin's, and, as usual, all interested are welcome.  It is BYOB, with everyone contributing something, though we all may chip in for a 6-foot hero or something.  Those interested in attending should contact me for information and directions at PINA_1@msn.com

And, from David Mekelburg, Class of '69:  I have just put up a site for the Valley Stream South Class of 1969.  Would you please add the site to your links page.
The address is:  http://iknow8.com/vssouth69.html   I have already placed your class's home page address on our link page.  Thanks for your time.

There's also a long letter from Eric Hilton, partly about Hy Rosov, who Eric visited recently.  But I'll save that for next week.

Again, congratulations, Andy!  Write him yourself at:  ADolich@Grizzlies.com

The home page address:   http://hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a


Rich