U.S. Ski Team Foundation schedules fall fund-raisers

U.S. Ski Team Foundation schedules fall fund-raisers{mosimage}Sheryl Crow has signed on to help the U.S. Ski Team raise money. One of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation’s new trustees, Mark Dowley, helped set up a deal that will have Crow performing at the New York Ski and Snowboard Ball, November 6 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in mid-town Manhattan.

Dowley is chairman and CEO of Interpublic Sports and Entertainment Group. Last year, he lined up the band Counting Crows to play at the event. Another trustee delivered the rest of the talent, flying in Bode Miller and Chad Fleischer on a private jet.

Janine Alfano, senior director of development for the USST Foundation, says Dowley got things started and then let Alfano and others “deal directly with the Sheryl people.” Now they’re arranging things like lighting, photo ops with the athletes and a possible America Online simulcast.

“I know in the past she’s brought out other musical celebrities onstage,” said Alfano. “That’s not in the deal or anything, but we’re hoping that might happen.” At this early stage, the deal is for Crow to give a 45-minute performance with a 15-minute encore. Athletes who’ve signed up to appear include Shannon Bahrke, Gretchen Bleiler, Tricia Byrnes, Lindsey Jacobellis, Jonna Mendes, Tommy Moe, Joe Pack, Picabo Street, Donna Weinbrecht and Seth Westcott. Alfano is working on corralling Bode Miller and Erik Schlopy on their way back from the opening World Cup in Soelden, Austria, as well as Kelly Clark, Marco Sullivan and Andy Finch.

The USST’s ski and snowboard balls can raise more than $1.5 million a year for the team. USST sponsors and others support the team by purchasing tables at the various events. The cost of a table for 10 ranges from $30,000 for a “Championship Sponsor” to $10,000 for a “Silver Sponsor,” depending on the goodies and other perks provided. In money raised, “New York is the leader by far,” admits Alfano, whose personal favorite is the event in San Francisco.
— Nathaniel Vinton

Where to get a seat at the table

October 3, San Francisco Ski & Snowboard Ball
Ritz Carlton, San Francisco

October 4, Silicon Valley Fundraiser
The home of Susan and Dexter Paine

October 24, Chicago Ski & Snowboard Ball
The Standard Club, Chicago

November 6, New York Ski & Snowboard Ball
The Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City

November 14, New England Ski & Snowboard Ball
Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

February 27, 2004, Colorado Train for Gold
Aboard the Winter Park train from Denver

June 26, 2004, Martha’s Vineyard Clambake

For more information, contact Darcy Yates at USSA’s Park City headquarters, at 435-647-2080, or visit the USST web site at www.usskiteam.com.