Pro stars coming to Fisher
Fisher student organized star-studded event
By Nicole Russo
Last Updated:4:17 PM EST 4/21/09 Section: Sports
Brandon Rosenthal doesn't sleep much these days. He and his spreadsheets and press releases have become somewhat of a fixture in the Founders computer lab.
But Rosenthal is part of a group of Fisher students responsible for bringing Notre Dame's all-time leading rusher, Autry Denson, to Rochester for a charity event-along with former and current NFL stars Justin Tuck, Paul Grasmanus, Thurman Thomas, Bertrand Berry and Ryan Grant; NBA greats Rick Barry and John Wallace; volleyball player Angie Akers; and WNBA star Octavia Blue.
The star-studded group will take part in a series of events in Rochester and at St. John Fisher from April 27 through May 3-also known as finals week. Rosenthal can be forgiven for missing a little sleep.
"I'll sleep when it's done," he said.
Rosenthal, a junior, came to Fisher from Arizona as a basketball recruit and now works as a student assistant coach on the team. He originally approached the staff about bringing celebrity athletes to campus for a high school skills clinic to showcase the Fisher community, but NCAA regulations created roadblocks. So he began to look at involving other Rochester organizations.
Discussions with TCCT Marketing and the Run For Your Goal Foundation led to contact with an agent who knows Denson well and signed him up. Denson made calls to some friends-such as former Notre Dame stars Tony Rice and Jeremy Akers. Rochester native Wallace was easily recruited. The list of celebrities snowballed from there.
"It started as a camp. Then once I got this foundation involved, it evolved into this crazy mess that it is now," Rosenthal laughed.
Although the idea has been brewing since last summer, Rosenthal "got on it hardcore" over winter break and the majority of work has taken place this semester.
Also, the members of the planning committee have fluctuated in the past months.
"People have been in and out so much. Some of the people who started it aren't here now, but without them, we wouldn't be where we are," Rosenthal said.
But Rosenthal is part of a group of Fisher students responsible for bringing Notre Dame's all-time leading rusher, Autry Denson, to Rochester for a charity event-along with former and current NFL stars Justin Tuck, Paul Grasmanus, Thurman Thomas, Bertrand Berry and Ryan Grant; NBA greats Rick Barry and John Wallace; volleyball player Angie Akers; and WNBA star Octavia Blue.
The star-studded group will take part in a series of events in Rochester and at St. John Fisher from April 27 through May 3-also known as finals week. Rosenthal can be forgiven for missing a little sleep.
"I'll sleep when it's done," he said.
Rosenthal, a junior, came to Fisher from Arizona as a basketball recruit and now works as a student assistant coach on the team. He originally approached the staff about bringing celebrity athletes to campus for a high school skills clinic to showcase the Fisher community, but NCAA regulations created roadblocks. So he began to look at involving other Rochester organizations.
Discussions with TCCT Marketing and the Run For Your Goal Foundation led to contact with an agent who knows Denson well and signed him up. Denson made calls to some friends-such as former Notre Dame stars Tony Rice and Jeremy Akers. Rochester native Wallace was easily recruited. The list of celebrities snowballed from there.
"It started as a camp. Then once I got this foundation involved, it evolved into this crazy mess that it is now," Rosenthal laughed.
Although the idea has been brewing since last summer, Rosenthal "got on it hardcore" over winter break and the majority of work has taken place this semester.
Also, the members of the planning committee have fluctuated in the past months.
"People have been in and out so much. Some of the people who started it aren't here now, but without them, we wouldn't be where we are," Rosenthal said.
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