TOLEDO, OH — ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy will serve as the keynote speaker for Toledo's annual Rocket Roundball Social being held on Monday, Oct. 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the main floor in Savage Arena. University of Toledo President Sharon Gaber is hosting the event and all proceeds will go directly to the Toledo Men's Basketball Progress Fund.
 
     The Rocket Roundball Social, which is an event that has grown into a UT Basketball tradition, offers individuals the opportunity to meet Dr. Gaber, Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk, his staff and players while enjoying food from some of Toledo's finest restaurants.
 
     Van Gundy joined ESPN in 2007 and serves as analyst for The Finals on ABC, the Conference Finals, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC and several regular-season and NBA Playoff games. Prior to joining ESPN, Van Gundy was the head coach of the Houston Rockets, where he had a 182-146 record. He also served as head coach of the New York Knicks from 1995-2002 and compiled a 248-172 mark. Van Gundy graduated from Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y., where he helped the Golden Flyers to the NCAA Division III Eastern Regional title in 1984 and was honored with induction into the Nazareth College Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
 
     "We're extremely excited to have Jeff Van Gundy serve as the guest speaker at our Rocket Roundball Social," Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "Along with his father Bill and brother Stan, Jeff is a member of what I truly believe is the greatest coaching family in the history of basketball. He's an unbelievable communicator, highly intelligent and he's always been a strong advocate for the coaching profession.  I know that Jeff will do a tremendous job entertaining our supporters."
 
     A silent and live auction will be held during the evening, and some of the items available for purchase include a seat on a charter flight for the Rockets' game at Kansas on Nov. 28,  "Roadtrip with the Rockets", "All-Access Program Pass for a Game", Toledo basketball apparel and assorted memorabilia.
 
     Advance ticket options include:
     • Individual ticket - $100.00
     • Reserved table of 10 - $1,000
 
     Payments can be made via cash, credit card or check. Checks should be made payable to the UT Foundation. Please reserve your tickets by Wednesday, October 11 by contacting Toledo Basketball via email at toledombb@gmail.com or contact associate head coach Jason Kalsow at (419) 530-7739.