SAN FRANCISCO – The fourth annual Dons Tip-Off Gala held at the beautiful Julia Morgan Ballroom was once again another successful evening, as the USF athletics department, along with hundreds of alumni, fans, and family, toasted the men's and women's basketball teams ahead of the 2018-19 seasons.
 
Fr. Paul Fitzgerald opened the evening with a blessing, he then turned the evening over to KPIX anchor Vern Glenn who once again did a monumental job serving as the MC for the evening.  Glenn introduced the new members of the men's and women's basketball team and held one-on-one interviews with head coaches Molly Goodenbour and Kyle Smith.  
 
In a new twist on the evening, the Dons toasted the slogan "Where Tradition Meets Today," with a special segment hosted by Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, Frank Allocco.  Allocco was joined by former men's basketball players Ali Thomas '01, Lyryan Russell '01, and women's basketball player Zhane Dikes '16, plus current Dons seniors Frankie Ferrari and Shannon Powell.
 
Thomas and Russell spoke with Allocco about why the two San Francisco natives chose USF, and what playing for their local team meant to them.  Dikes discussed her journey as a Don, from a 12-win season her freshman year to a WCC Tournament Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament her senior year.
 
Powell and Ferrari both echoed their excitement for the upcoming 2018-19 season and thanked the people in attendance for their support, while also discussing their appreciation for the support of their programs.
 
The evening concluded with Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell presenting the annual Jim Brovelli Award to longtime Don supporter John Duggan, Sr.