The Event
The American Cancer Society was thrilled to hold its most recent annual Suits & Sneakers Gala on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at UGA's beautiful Stegeman Coliseum. The gala, now in preparation for its 4th year, is an extraordinary event that raises money to help more than 10 million people affected by cancer today.
The 2012 Gala had nearly 500 guests in attendance to show their support and benefit the American Cancer Society. With the help of our guests, sponsors, silent and live auction donors, and many volunteers, the 3rd annual Suits & Sneakers Gala raised more than $100,000 to aid cancer research and provide support for cancer patients and caregivers.
Special guests at the 2012 Gala included former UGA Footballl Coach Vince and wife Barbara Dooley, current UGA Football Coach Mark and wife Katharyn Richt, Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz, and retired NFL champion Brad Johnson. Emcees for the event were sportscasters Chuck Dowdle and Brad Nessler, as well as Magic 102.1FM's Allen Tibbetts.
Please check back with our website, Facebook or Twitter for more information regarding the 2013 Suits & Sneakers Gala.
Date: August 17, 2013
Time: 6PM
Location: Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, GA
Parking: Carlton Street Parking Deck or any open UGA lot
Attire: Business Cocktail - Suits, Dresses and Sneakers!
Tickets: $150 Per Person or $1,250 for a Table of 10
Suits & Sneakers was inspired by members of Coaches vs. Cancer, a non-profit collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Coaches around the nation come together one weekend each season by wearing sneakers with their suits while they coach to demonstrate their support for cancer prevention, research and awareness. The Suits & Sneakers Gala captures the spirit of this event with a fun night of local food and drink, dancing, games and a variety of items up for grabs at silent and live auctions.
Executive Officers
Head Coach - Cindy Fox
Assistant Coach - Lisa Jeffers
Food/Beverage - Kim Eldridge
Silent Auction - Holly Purcell
Logistics - Jeff Evans
Web/Social Media - Sravanthi Meka
Web/Social Media - Kathleen Mansfield
Volunteers - Pam Gauld
Games - Kim Johnson
Recognition - Jennifer Jones
Decorations - Michelle Evans
Public Relations - Ashley Pearson
Advertising - Emily Deitz
If you would like to be a part of our Leadership Team and help us plan the next Gala, please Contact Us.
Assisting Members
Aubrey Garrison
Becky Kazemi
Becky Reynolds
Carol Tamborello
Elizabeth Katz
Joy Simonton
Kara Turk
Karen Lewis
Karen Price
Kathy Slonaker
Kellie Moon
Kevin Price
Natalie Okeson
Roslyn Ruffner
2012 marked the inaugural Ping Pong Challenge, an exciting event that featured Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz battling Super Bowl winning quarterback Brad Johnson for bragging rights as Ping Pong Champion.
Smoltz came away the ping pong winner, but both athletes were champions when it came to raising money for the American Cancer Society. Prior to the matchup, fans could show their support for their favorite celebrity athlete by voting with a donation in the name of the Challenger to the American Cancer Society!
Many businesses, schools and individuals contributed to the 2012 Suits & Sneakers Gala through donations to our silent and live auctions. Here are some of the many items that were available to bid on this year. If you would like to contribute to the 2013 Gala, please Contact Us.
Experience Savannah:
- • 2-Night Stay at the Historic Mulberry Inn in Downtown Savannah, GA
- • 3-Night Stay at Flip Flop Paradise on Tybee Island
- • Trolley Ride from Oglethorpe Trolley Tours of Savannah
- • Paula Deen Autographed Photograph, Cookbook, & Restaurant Gift Certificate
- • Copy of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” signed by Sonny Seiler
- • Gift Certificates to Local Savannah Restaurants
Experience Athens and Watkinsville:
- • Summer Pool Membership for Family of 5 at the Oconee Club Pool
- • Business Retreat for 12 at Ashford Manor
- • 4 Award-winning Art Publications from the Georgia Museum of Art
- • Camping Package from Academy Sports
- • Gift Certificates from Local Restaurants
- • Under Armour Custom Mouth Guard from Classic City Orthodontics
- • Gift Baskets from Local Salons
- • Facial Process from The Moore Center
Experience Home and Garden:
- • Otis Spunkmeyer Tabletop Cookie Oven
- • Holiday Gift Baskets
- • Hand-Painted Ceramic UGA Items from Magnolia Lane
- • Jewelry and Original Art from Local Artists
- • Blown Glass Centerpiece and Ornaments from Loretta Eby
- • Pair of Diamond Earrings
- • Metallic Bulldog Sculpture
- • 100 Bales of Pine Straw from Lawn Maintenance of Athens
- • Child's Pedal Car from Athens BMW
- • Painting of One Room of Your Choice by CertaPro Painters
- • Pair of Troutman Porch Rockers from Southern Spa and Patio
- • Cooking set from Fire and Flavor
- • 4 months of childcare at Appletree Prep Daycare in Bogart
- • UGA Gift Basket from UGA Alumni Association
Experience Beer:
- • Hands-on Home Brewing Experience with Gratis Brewing, Winder, GA
- • Private Tour with Brewmaster and Merchandise from Terrapin Brewing Company
- • Lifetime Subscription to Beer Connoisseur Magazine and Merchandise
- • Home Brewing Starter Kit from Widmer Brewing Company
Experience Athletics:
- • Tickets to UGA Basketball Game with Access to Bulldog Club Pre-game Buffet
- • Virginia Tech Football Signed by Coach Frank Beamer
- • Framed and Autographed Painting of Herschel Walker
- • Behind-the-Scenes Private Tour of UGA’s Athletic Facilities
- • Autographed Jersey of Heisman Winner Mark Ingram
- • “Growing Up Colt” book Signed by Colt McCoy and father Brad McCoy
- • Framed Photo of UGA Mascot and Basketballs
- • NC State Basketball Signed by Coach Mark Gottfried
- • Miami Dolphins Jersey Signed by Reggie Bush
- • Basketball Signed by former Maryland Coach Gary Williams, Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright, and Dick Vitale
- • BYU Framed and Autographed 16” x 20”Photo of Jimmer Fredette
- • Marquette University Basket, including Memorabilia and Sneaker Signed by Buzz Williams
- • 2 Oklahoma University Hats, Signed by Lon Kugar
- • Football Signed by Dick Vitale and Lou Holtz
- • Autographed Jersey of Marshall Faulk
- • Autographed Copy of Sonny Seiler’s Latest Book
- • Parking Pass for a UGA Football Game during the 2012 Season
- • Parking Pass for a UGA Basketball Game during the 2012/2013 Season
- • Autographed photo of John Smoltz from CSE
- • Official MLB baseball autographed by John Smoltz
- • Official MLB baseball autographed by Jeff Francoeur
- • Official MLB baseball autographed by Mark DeRosa
- • Football autographed by Herschel Walker
- • Autographed items from Dunta Robinson of the Falcons
- • Auburn University Basketball signed by Coach Tony Barbee
- • Auburn University Football signed by Coach Gene Chizik