Rend Lake Resort hosting Jerry Sloan fundraiser BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN MCLEANSBORO - Don't expect to see Utah Jazz head coach and two-time NBA All-Star Jerry Sloan shooting hoops in the driveway of his off-season home in McLeansboro. "The only time I pick up a basketball these days is to move it out of my way," laughed Sloan, the longest tenured coach with the same franchise in all of major professional sports. Besides, Sloan, 65, has little time for play as he readies for the second Bobbye and Jerry Sloan Hand-in-Hand Foundation Celebrity Dinner and Auction set Aug. 3 and the sunrise run and related events the following morning. The events are major fundraisers for the foundation created to honor and carry on with the work of Sloan's late wife, Bobbye, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2004. The foundation assists local communities by helping both individuals and organizations with the financial support they need to reach their full potential, said Kathy Sloan Wood, one of three children of the couple. The foundation helps the family not only remember Bobbye Sloan, Wood said, but also "carry on without her in a positive way." Bobbye Sloan, a registered nurse, was well known in the community for her compassion and generosity, Sloan said. "Evidently that's what Bobbye was doing all along with my money when I didn't know about it," he laughed. "We both grew up here and there were people who helped us along the way. This is a way we can give back to the community." The foundation has seven main areas of interest including education, athletics, conservation, arts, health and wellness, animal welfare and agriculture. The foundation focuses its efforts in three primary areas: Hamilton County and Southern Illinois; Evansville, Ind., where Sloan began his legendary playing career at the University of Evansville; and Salt Lake City, where Sloan has coached the Jazz for almost 20 years. The foundation has, among other things, awarded a number of scholarships to music and agriculture students at Hamilton County High School and donated $100,000 for the Kids' Kingdom playground in McLeansboro. This year's dinner will feature Sloan and former Jazz head coach Frank Layden as speakers. "If you have to hear someone talk, Frank's the one you want to hear. He's a very smart man and a very colorful guy. I wish he was still coaching. I'd be happy to be his assistant coach," Sloan said. That would be a familiar position for Sloan, who was brought on as a Jazz assistant coach by Layden after Sloan finished his professional career as a player with Baltimore and Chicago and completed three years as the Bulls' head coach. The auction will offer a variety of items including NBA memorabilia and autographs. "One of the cool things we have this year is a Shaquille O'Neal game-worn, autographed jersey. He took it right off after a game with the Jazz," Wood said. "It's so big it's funny. It's like a dress on me and I'm 6 feet tall." Sloan's lifelong friend, David Lee, said he hopes this year's event tops last year's attendance of more than 300 people. "It's a good time and it's for a worthy cause," said Lee, an SIUC Hall-of-Famer who coached basketball at a number of schools including West Frankfort and McLeansboro where he led his alma mater to a state title. "All the money goes to the foundation and you can be sure they spend the money wisely." Tickets to the dinner and auction, $55 per person or $100 for two, are still available and may be purchased by calling 932-6814 or at the door. For more information, visit www.bobbyeandjerrysloan.org. What: Second Bobbye and Jerry Sloan Hand-in-Hand Foundation Celebrity Dinner and Auction featuring Utah Jazz head coach and McLeansboro native Jerry Sloan, and former Jazz head coach Frank Layden When: 6:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3 Where: Rend Lake Resort and Conference Center, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Cost: $55 per person or $100 for two Also: Third annual sunrise run, friendship walk, kids' fun run and silent auction; activities start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at Dolan Lake, McLeansboro. For more information, visit www.bobbyeandjerrysloan.org or call 932-6814 Published on: Friday, July 27, 2007 7:16 AM CDT http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2007/07/27/local/20984981.txt --

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