STAMFORD, Conn. – The National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, will honor Olympic gold medalist Gigi Fernandez at the 36th Annual MS Dinner of Champions on Friday, November 14, at the Hilton Stamford Hotel in Stamford.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernandez was first introduced to tennis on her seventh birthday with tennis lessons as a gift from her parents. She went on to Clemson University, where she reached the NCAA finals as a freshmen and turned professional in 1983. She was Puerto Rico’s first female professional athlete, in any sport.
Hernandez was ranked number one in the world doubles, holds 17 Grand Slam doubles crowns and two Olympic Gold Medals. She was voted Puerto Rican female Athlete of the Century and is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Fernandez retired in 1997.
After retiring, Fernandez continued her involvement in tennis by coaching the Puerto Rican Fed Cup team and mentoring several young aspiring tennis professionals. She was the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of South Florida for three years and coached top WTA doubles team Lisa Raymond and Sam Stosur. She also remains active in corporate hospitality events and participates in fundraising events throughout the country. For her efforts, Hernandez will receive the J. Walter Kennedy Award, an award given each year by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, in recognition of the extraordinary accomplishments of gifted athletes and their championship teams.
The 2014 MS Dinner of Champions will feature a V.I.P. cocktail reception, a silent auction from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., and dinner, an awards ceremony and a live auction experience to follow. The evening will conclude with a live performance by Waterbury’s ’Ol Skool Rhythm and Blues band.
This year’s business honoree receiving the MS Hope Award is Michael McGavick, CEO of XL Group, plc, since 2008. With McGavick as CEO, XL has built its premier position as the company, its clients, and partners look for solutions to complex risks.
The MS Dinner of Champions honors champions of the business and sports industry making a difference in their organizations and communities. Since the very first MS Dinner of Champions was held in 1978, which honored Howard Cosell, this event has continued to honor the most prominent business champions. Past honorees include Ernst & Young, IBM, Louis Dreyfus, Mutual of America, Pfizer and Xerox Corporation as well as both local and national sports figures Steve Young, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford, John Starks, Billie Jean King, Mary Lou Retton and Bobby Valentine.
For more information on the 36th Annual MS Dinner of Champions, contact Allison Ihm at 860.913.2550, ext. 52606, or email allison.ihm@nmss.org.
9/30/14