NORFOLK, Va. – As part of the ongoing celebration of Norfolk State University’s 80th anniversary, the NSU Department of Athletics will host a “Night of the Olympians” event on Saturday, June 6 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
The event will honor 16 track and field standouts and one coach who had extensive international success in their sport. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and autograph session, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the program at 8.
The list of invitees includes seven gold medalists: sprinters Christopher Brown, Brian Lewis, LaShawn Merritt, Tim Montgomery, Steven Riddick and Chandra Sturrup in addition to Paralympic champion April Holmes. Other honorees include athletes Serge Bengono, Ramon Clay, Debbie Dunn, Anthony Hall, Joel Mascoll, Ruchelle Ricks, Paul Tucker, Claude Toukene and Malcolm Watts, and former USA Track & Field Olympic assistant coach LaVerne Sweat.
Tickets cost $100. Tables of 10 can be purchased at the cost of $900. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Melody Webb at (757) 823-8404 or Michelle MacFarlane at (757) 823-2105. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships for qualified NSU student-athletes in all sports.
Invitee List (includes country represented and Olympic years):
· Serge Bengono (Cameroon, ‘00), sprinter
· Christopher Brown (Bahamas, ’00, ’04, ’08, ‘12), sprinter, 2012 gold medal-4x400 relay
· Ramon Clay (USA), sprinter
· Debbie Dunn (USA), sprinter
· Anthony Hall (USA, ’76), javelin
· April Holmes (USA Paralympic Team ’04, ’08, ’12), sprinter/jumper, 2008 Paralympics-gold medal, 100m
· Brian Lewis (USA, ’00), sprinter, 2000 gold medal-4x100 relay
· Joel Mascoll (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, ’96), sprinter
· LaShawn Merritt (USA, ’08, ’12), sprinter, 2008 gold medals-400m, 4x400 relay
· Tim Montgomery (USA, ’96, ’00), sprinter, 2000 gold medal-4x100 relay
· Ruchelle Ricks (Virgin Islands, ’96), sprinter
· Steven Riddick (USA, ’76), sprinter, 1976 gold medal-4x100 relay
· Chandra Sturrup (Bahamas, ’96, ’00, ’04, ’08, ’12), sprinter, 2000 gold medal-4x100 relay
· LaVerne Sweat (USA T&F Asst. Coach, ’00), coach
· Claude Toukene (Cameroon, ’96), sprinter
· Paul Tucker (Guyana, ’96, ’00), hurdler
· Malcolm Watts (Guyana, ’96), sprinter