Milwaukee is the host city for the 2008 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Boys and Girls Games, and OnMilwaukee.com has learned that Julius (Dr. J) Erving will give the keynote address at the event's All American Awards Banquet and Silent Auction on Tuesday, March 25 at the Midwest Airlines Center.
Erving was an All Star each season during his 11-year NBA career, the league's Most Valuable Player in 1981 and a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team. He essentially changed the game with his high-flying dunks.
In past years, this banquet has featured well-known basketball names such as Bill Walton, legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden, Lisa Leslie, Gail Goodrich, Jerry Colangelo and Jay Williams.
This year, Wooden is scheduled to attend along with Irving.
Net proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, whose mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. The McDonald's All Americans will also visit with the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Wauwatosa during game week.
The game, which was first played in 1978, tips off Wednesday, March 26 at the Bradley Center and is televised by ESPN. It is the premier high school basketball event and selection to it is one of the highest honors a high school basketball player can receive.
Jordan, Magic, Isiah, Kobe, Shaq, LeBron, Carmelo all have played in the McDonald's Game. The Milwaukee game could be a showcase for our city's high school standout: Korie Lucious from Milwaukee Pius XI. He's a finalist to make the team. Team selection is scheduled for the week of Feb. 19.
The three-day event tips off on March 24 with Powerade Jam Fest at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Dr. J will be a judge for this event.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
