Buoyed by the success of the inaugural Red Tie Celebration, Seattle University announced today that Elgin Baylor will be the honoree, while Dino and Terry Rossi will serve as the chairs for the 2014 Red Tie Celebration, to take place Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Grand Hyatt Seattle.
“Elgin Baylor is one of the greatest ever,” said Red Tie Chair Dino Rossi. “He changed the way the game was played. Terry and I are pleased to support our student-athletes and honored to chair Red Tie as we celebrate the immeasurable contributions Elgin made to Seattle U. Through his leadership, character and determination, Elgin has long served as an inspiration both on and off the court for student-athletes everywhere—and especially those at his alma mater.”
Baylor played for Seattle University from 1956 to 1958 and made a significant impact on the basketball program. He averaged 31.1 points and 19.8 rebounds per game, still school records in both categories, including a still-standing school record of 60 points against Portland Jan. 30, 1958.
After an 18-game winning streak to close out the 1956-57 campaign led to a berth in the National Invitational Tournament, Baylor helped Seattle U advance to the NCAA title game in 1958. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the 1958 Final Four as well as a consensus All-American. Baylor enjoyed a 13-year NBA career with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers and is considered one of the greatest players of all time on both the collegiate and professional levels.
Dino Rossi graduated from Seattle U’s Albers School of Business and Economics in 1982 and then began a career in the commercial real estate business. He is a former owner of the Everett AquaSox and is also a co-founder of Eastside Commercial Bank. Rossi served in the Washington State Senate from 1997 until December 2003. His wife Terry will join him as they lead the effort to put together another outstanding program that benefits the Seattle University athletics program.
The second annual event is sure to feature unique and sought after items. Super Bowl tickets were auctioned off at last year’s inaugural event, thanks to a Geico donation. Goldberg Jones, a law firm that has supported Seattle U Athletics for years, was the highest bidder for two of the tickets, and two of the firm’s representatives headed to New Jersey and were able to see the Seahawks defeat the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Sponsorships are currently being accepted at the Red ($5,000) and Black ($3,500) levels, while single seat tickets for $150 each are scheduled to go on sale March 1, 2014. For more information regarding sponsorships, contact Assistant Athletic Director for Corporate Sponsorships Jo Anne Hume at humej@seattleu.edu. Further information about the Red Tie Celebration can be found at www.seattleu.edu/redtie.