AUBURN, Ala. – In a moment, Dick Vitale flips a switch and suddenly he's Dickie V, college basketball broadcasting legend.
Using the voice and volume that's part of the sport's soundtrack, Vitale explained why he chose to honor Bruce and Brandy Pearl at his 16th Annual Gala that raises money to fight pediatric cancer.
"If I were on TV right now, I would say, 'Auburn: War Eagle!'" said Vitale with the flair fans have heard since he called ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979.
"'And I will tell you right now that Mr. Pearl and Mrs. Pearl, they are Awesome baby, with a capital A! They're like the three S men: they're super, scintillating, sensational, and they're flat-out, solid gold PTPers – prime-time performers, caring about others!'"
Transitioning back into his non-broadcasting voice, Vitale continued.
"That's what Bruce has done," Vitale said. "He did it at Tennessee as well when Chris Lofton, his player, came down with cancer. And he's bringing a smile to people's faces."
The Pearls joined Vitale at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida, on May 7 to raise money for the V Foundation for childhood cancer research. Other honorees included Florida football coach Dan Mullen, former Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw and ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt.
Vitale's gala has raised $44 million in 16 years, including $6.5 million this year.
"How many events do you go to that raise $6.5 million?" Vitale asked. "And we still have some checks coming in. If anybody in Auburn's family wants to join our team and help us, it all goes to the V foundation, they've just got to go to DickVitale.com."
Auburn's 30-member delegation, including Director of Athletics Allen Greene and his wife, Christy, Tigers Unlimited donors, and Pearl's assistant coaches and staff, impacted the event, Vitale said.
"They went a step beyond," Vitale said. "The Auburn people who came with Bruce and Brandy, the donations were off the charts. Auburn was represented with such class."
Many of Auburn's most loyal and generous donors: Walt Woltosz, Bob Broadway, Joey Pierson, Dr. Larry Thorne, Nick Davis, Raymond Jones and Keith Jones helped raise nearly a half million dollars for the V Foundation.
"The giving is one thing," Vitale said. "But it's also the emotion, the enthusiasm, the energy that they put into it, really believing in what I'm trying to accomplish."
The Pearls first attended the Dick Vitale Gala in 2008, when Bruce introduced honoree Pat Summitt. That same year, Pearl created the OUTLIVE organization to promote cancer screenings for early detection and raise money to support cancer patients after Lofton, the 2007 SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee, underwent cancer surgery and treatment.
Pearl brought that same passion and program to the Plains in 2014, changing the spelling to AUTLIVE to identify it with Auburn, raising money from t-shirt sales to support local cancer patients.
While Pearl has led Auburn's men's basketball program to unprecedented success over the past seven seasons, the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation has partnered with local organizations, including Children's Harbor.
Pearl's Fore the Children Golf Classic has raised more than $1 million for Children's Harbor, providing camp scholarships for children with chronic illnesses and their families.
Pearl frequently personally reaches out to cancer patients of all ages to encourage them in their treatment.
Citing a scriptural principle Jesus taught that's recorded in Matthew 6:1 ("Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them"), Pearl is hesitant to take credit for good deeds, but appreciative of the volunteer team that propels his foundation's reach.
"I tweeted about AUTLIVE, that Brandy and I were going to get recognized, but it's all the volunteers who work on AUTLIVE and work for the foundation," said Pearl, mentioning Brandy, Tammy Jackson, Johnny Kincey and men's basketball director operations Chad Prewett. "That's my team. We are passionate about kids and cancer."
On their way to Vitale's home for the second event of his gala on May 8, Pearl learned of the death of 18-year-old Auburn University student Maddie McClendon from ovarian cancer, reinforcing the need to fund groundbreaking research.
The collective gifts from Auburn's supporters and the Pearls to the V Foundation were given in Maddie's memory and honor.
"I was so grateful that some of our best friends and donors wanted to be a part of Brandy and I being honored, and then donated so generously," said Pearl, adding his appreciation to the Greenes and his assistant coaches for attending. "It meant a lot to me."
Bruce Pearl has elevated Auburn basketball while making a difference for children and cancer patients across Alabama, attracting attention from his sport's best-known broadcaster for both reasons.
"Without Auburn giving me a second chance, I wouldn't be in this fight like I am," Pearl said.
"I wouldn't have had the opportunity to bring SEC regular season championships or tournament championships or get to the Final Four. It was a way for me to say thank you to Auburn."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
