Bill Walton to headline scholarship luncheon for Tri-C

Bill Walton, a basketball legend who carried his oncourt success into broadcasting and business careers, will be the featured guest at the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation’s 2019 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

The event to benefit student scholarships at Tri-C will take place at 11:25 a.m., Oct. 11, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on Public Square.

Since its inception in 1992, the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon has raised more than $20 million to help Tri-C students with financial need pursue higher education, according to a news release stated.

“Scholarships create opportunities that change lives,” said John Skory, chairperson of the Tri-C Foundation. “Supporters of the luncheon provide critically needed funds for those who might otherwise be unable to afford a college education.”

Walton adds to the list of distinguished speakers to headline the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, joining athletes Earvin “Magic” Johnson (2015) and Hank Aaron (1997) and sports broadcaster Bob Costas (2008).

The Hall of Famer is one of only four players in the history of basketball to win multiple NCAA and NBA championships.

Following his playing career, Walton moved into the broadcast booth. The man who once stuttered so badly he struggled to say a simple ‘“thank you” was named one of the Top 50 sports broadcasters of all time by the American Sportscasters Association in 2009, the release stated.

Walton also serves as the volunteer executive chairman of San Diego Sport Innovators, a non-profit business accelerator that drives growth in the city’s sports economy.

He’s also active with many organizations and charities.

“Bill has passion — for his work, for family and friends, for music, for life and for greatness,” said TriC Foundation president Megan O’Bryan in the release. “He’ll bring his outsized passion to Cleveland and inspire our luncheon audience with tales from an improbable life in sports and beyond.”

The luncheon discussion with Walton will be moderated by Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

For ticket information, call the Tri-C Foundation at 216-987-4868.

The luncheon discussion with Walton will be moderated by Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.