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PRESS RELEASE FROM EL SEGUNDO:

Los Angeles Lakers Assistant General Manager Ronnie Lester will donate $100,000 to the University of Iowa Foundation to support the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Enhancements Campaign.

“As a member of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena campaign committee, I am pleased to step forward to make this gift,” said Lester. “Coach Lickliter has the program moving in the right direction, and I want to do my part to help this important project.”

Lester is a member of the committee that is leading the fundraising effort to upgrade the 26-year-old facility. The goal of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Enhancemens Campaign is to raise at least $20 million to modernize the current facility, despite no state funding.

“We are thrilled to receive this gift from Ronnie Lester,” said UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta. “He is one of the all-time great basketball players at Iowa. It’s always special to see former student-athletes reach back and support the Hawks.”

At the request of Lester, the UI Department of Intercolegiate Athletics will name the training room at the remodeled Carver-Hawkeye Arena in honor of longtime UI athletic trainer John Streif.

“John Streif has been a terrific friend to me for more than 30 years. He has worked tirelessly to support me and numerous other athletes over four decades now,” said Lester. “His dedication to the Hawkeyes is legendary, and I’m honored to name the training room for him.”

“On top of his generosity, it is terrific that Ronnie has chosen to honor John Streif,” said Barta. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

A former two-time All-American standout from the University of Iowa, Lester left the university as the Hawkeyes’ all-time leader in both points (1,675) and assists (480).

Charity is often more meaningful when it helps children, which is why Monday’s 19th Annual Lakers Celebrity Golf Invitational at the Riviera Country Club was particularly successful.

Thanks to an event-filled day and some terrific items for both silent and live auction formats, over $100,000 was raised to benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation.

“Although it was a challenge to raise funds in this economy, the money raised from this event has never been more crucial to our community,” said Lakers Director of Charitable Services Janie Drexel. “Since we are seeing a dramatic increase in the amount of requests from organizations who are struggling to keep their programs going for the youth in the Los Angeles area, we are thrilled that with the help of our Lakers players, coaches and staff, along with our organization’s sponsors and fans, the 19th annual event was again a success.”

The day started with a tasty brunch at Riviera’s clubhouse, which preceded a scramble golf tournament featuring various Lakers sponsors paired with Lakers legends like James Worthy and Elgin Baylor, TV personalities such as the E! Network’s Joel McHale and KCAL’s Jackie Johnson as well as each Laker broadcaster and other notables including Frank Robinson and Kenny Lofton.

Subsequently, the golfers changed clothes and joined others at a cocktail reception and silent auction featuring items as varied as autographed Lakers jerseys, balls and shoes, vacations destinations and jewelry. The entire Lakers team and coaching staff then arrived to meet and greet fans, take pictures, sign autographs and even sink some puts on respective mini greens inside the clubhouse.

After enjoying some steak, potatoes and veggies, many patrons participated in a live auction featuring the following items: Dr. Buss’ luxury suite for a Kings game; two first class tickets to New York plus hotel accommodation; floor seats to a coming Lakers game; a Fender Guitar autographed by the team; Jaermann and Stubi Limited Edition men’s watch; and two American Airlines tickets to New York plus six nights in a Hilton family hotel.

Of course, the primary function of the entire day at Riviera was to help kids through the Lakers Youth Foundation:

The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation’s goal is to assist nonprofit community organizations based on need. With the Foundation’s focus on the use of sports to promote education, teamwork and self-esteem among Los Angeles area youth, our fundraising directly supports these initiatives by providing financial assistance to children and local youth programs.

Who can argue with that?