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| Institute executive director Ruth Browne (second from left) with honorees Bryant Gumbel, Dr. Dawn Morton-Rias, Richard D. Parsons, Billie Jean King, and Terry McDonell. |
By Liza Horan
New York—The ripple effects of Arthur Ashe's life are like tidal waves—and they show no signs of slowing. Among the many endeavors bearing his name, spirit, and dedication is the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. The 15-year-old organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., raised more than $500,000 in a single night.
The occasion was the annual Sportsball, which somehow elegantly weds a high society scene with carnival-like fun. From the succulent steak, the gowns, the tuxedos finished off with tennis shoes, an ice cream bar, a dance band with plenty of horns, video games, and an auction of sports memorabilia, last month's event was smashing.
The evening showcased the good works of the Institute, which is dedicated to improving health care and opportunities, and honored Billie Jean King, HBO Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel, Richard D. Parsons of Time Warner, Sports Illustrated group editor Terry McDonell, and Dr. Dawn Morton-Rias, dean of SUNY's College of Health Related Professions. Commentator Mary Carillo was an award presenter.
King's award acceptance speech was lighthearted, but poignant, as she recalled her friendship with Ashe.
"At 12 years old I had an epiphany—that I wanted to change the game," she said. "It was so elitist and I saw no people of color. I knew that unless I was No. 1 no one would listen to me."
Among the things King said she and her friend, Ashe, shared were that they were born in 1943, wore glasses, were dedicated to making tennis inclusive, and that they both had afros in the '70s.
"I wore it as a statement: Black is beautiful," said King, added that she used to say to Ashe, "We both have afros, but yours is real; mine's a perm."
Other comments of interest include Gumbel's quip, "You know you're getting old when the award you get is named for someone you know," and McDonell's statement, "Arthur Ashe has an unmatched legend at Sports Illustrated (for his transparency)...he stands out as the sportsman among sportsmen."
