Home » TIMag.com news » Tournaments/Events » 'Legends Ball' Benefiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame Friday, September 5, 2008 at Cipriani in New York City

'Legends Ball' Benefiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame Friday, September 5, 2008 at Cipriani in New York City

NEW YORK, NY -– The premier social event of the tennis season, the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s “Legends Ball” returns to Cipriani 42nd Street, in New York City on Friday, September 5th at 6:30 pm – the last Friday of the US Open. This special night of celebration honor Billie Jean King, the Class of 2008 — Michael Chang, Mark McCormack and Eugene Scott — and a host of tennis luminaries.

The event, held annually since 1980, brings the tennis world together to celebrate the history of the game and honor some of the sport’s great contributors all while raising money for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. A legendary line-up of tennis greats will also be in attendance, including more than a dozen Hall of Famers, tennis dignitaries, the event’s Player Co-Chair Jim Courier, plus Co-Chairs, Phil de Picciotto, President of Octagon Athletes & Personalities and Peter Palandjian, Chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame board.

“Last year, we injected a new look, feel and energy into this event that has been a part of the tennis scene for more than 25 years,” said Mark Stenning, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. “Attendees can once again expect to mingle with tennis royalty, honor the greats of the game, bid on unique memorabilia and experiences in our silent and live auction and enjoy the electric atmosphere and great food that Cipriani is famous for.”

A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the third annual Eugene L. Scott Award to Billie Jean King. The award honors an individual who embodies Scott’s commitment to communicating honestly and critically about the game, and who has had a significant impact on the tennis world. Scott founded Tennis Week magazine and wrote the most widely read and well-respected column about the sport, “Vantage Point.” Andre Agassi was honored last year while John McEnroe received the inaugural award in 2006.

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid upon once-in-a-lifetime experiences and unique items in a silent and live auction. In the past, auction items have included hit sessions with tennis luminaries Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Pam Shriver; ticket and travel packages to Grand Slam events; a meet and greet with Tiger Woods; golf at legendary courses like Winged Foot; and autographed tennis memorabilia from Roger Federer, James Blake and Andre Agassi.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the event, call 212-843-1740 or e-mail legendsball@hgnyc.com. The mission of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, based in Newport, RI, is to preserve the history of tennis, inspire and encourage junior tennis development, enshrine tennis heroes and heroines and provide a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

Posted on April 28, 2008
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