NEW YORK CITY (October 13, 2022) – Up2Us Sports, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring youth through coaching and sports, welcomed pro athletes and celebrities to its ninth annual gala on Tuesday, October 11th. The star-studded event was held atClassic Car Club Manhattan. The funds raised will go towards training coaches in sports-based youth development and placing them in under-resourced communities.

“This event was a celebration of the power of coaches to positively impact the lives of youth across this country,” said Paul Caccamo, Founder & CEO of Up2Us Sports. “It also was a call to action to support Up2Us Sports as the only national service program for coaching in America. We appreciate everyone who attended and all who continue to rally around our mission in the year ahead.”

*Actor Jackie Hoffman, Up2Us Sports Board Member and Founder & Head Physician at New York Dermatology Group, Dr. David Colbert and actor and comedian Sandra Bernhard.*

The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour accompanied by live jazz. Guests mingled with figures from the entertainment world including Kyle MacLachlan, Sandra Bernhard, Jackie Hoffman, Michelle Hicks, Famke Janssen, and Josh Hamilton. Special appearances were also made by Up2Us Sports Ambassadors: WNBA Champion and author, Sugar Rodgers; first female coach for the New York Jets and first African American female coach in the NFL, Collette V. Smith; professional boxer, Damon Allen Jr.; and world champion professional rock climber, Sasha DiGiulian.

*Up2Us Sports Ambassadors Sugar Rodgers, Collette V. Smith, Damon Allen Jr and Sasha DiGiulian with 2022 Legacy Award Honoree Nichol Whiteman (second from left).*

This was followed by an action packed program led by Monica McNutt, emcee of the evening and renowned ESPN Sports Reporter, Host, and Basketball Analyst. The event honored Nichol Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, with the Legacy Award, and Brooklyn-based Jae Cooper with the 2022 Coach of the Year Award.

*Legacy Award Honoree Nichol Whiteman, Emcee Monica McNutt and Coach of the Year Jae Cooper.*

The live and silent auction featured sports memorabilia from sports greats including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Aaron Judge, Henrik Lundquist, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, and more.