SAN FRANCISCO — The 2019-20 University of San Francisco men's and women's basketball years got another step closer Friday night as the Dons hosted their fifth annual Tip-Off Gala at the beautiful Julia Morgan Ballroom. As always, Julie Congi, the Director of Special Events for the Dons, put on a fantastic evening, as the athletics department, along with hundreds of alumni, fans, and family celebrated the rapidly approaching basketball season.
 
Once again, KPIX anchor Vern Glenn did a masterful job serving as the MC for the evening.  Glenn opened the evening with a recap and toast to the 2018-19 campaign and then introduced the new members of the women's and men's team. Following the player introductions, Glenn held court with women's head coach Molly Goodenbour and players Dolapo Balogun and Abby Rathbun.
 
Following the chat with the women, Glenn brought first-year men's head coach Todd Golden to the stage. He was joined by senior co-captain Jimbo Lull and redshirt junior Charles Minlend, where the two talked about the transition to the new staff and, among other things, how Minlend is the last person to pick the music for the locker room.

The evening concluded with a toast to this year's Jim Brovelli Award recipient, alumnus and longtime Don supporter, Phil Spiegel. Director of Athletics Joan McDermott introduced Spiegel and read two letters to the award winner, the first from Nate Renfro, who was in attendance, sharing what Spiegel meant to him personally. McDermott followed with a text message from Frankie Ferrari sent earlier that morning sharing his fond memories of Spiegel roaming the sidelines during Dons basketball games. Spiegel then took the microphone and regaled the crowed with what the award meant to him personally and just how proud he is to be a Don.