Kevin Ollie Breakfast Meeting

The final weeks of July have certainly been busy ones at the Chamber.  Last week, we had a terrific Business After Work event on Monday at Angelico’s Lakehouse Restaurant in East Hampton.  As always, there was a great turnout of Chamber members. Much thanks to owner Paul Angelico and his staff for graciously hosting the event. This coming Thursday, we will have our final major event of the month as the Chamber welcomes former UConn star and NBA veteran Kevin Ollie to its member breakfast meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cromwell. At the Breakfast, Kevin will receive the Chamber’s Role Model Award for his outstanding achievements both on and off the court.  As the Role Model Award honoree, he will speak to our crowd, which is expected to be 500 people. Kevin joins a lengthy list of professional athletes and sports executives who have been honored with this award in years past.   Former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, former Philadelphia Philly Rico Brogna, former NFL players Chris Hetherington and Joe Andruzzi, former MLB player Ricky Bottalico, former LPGA Pro Suzy Whaley, New England Patriot Player Personnel VP Scott Pioli, former WNBA great Rebecca Lobo, Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino have all attended our Chamber breakfasts to accept the Role Model Award.  Most recently, former Husky, Boston Celtic, and NBA World Champion Ray Allen was given this distinction in 2007 in front of a capacity crowd. We Connecticut residents, and non-residents alike, can easily recall the tremendous achievement and character that Kevin displayed during his four years as a Connecticut Husky in the 1990’s.  As head coach Jim Calhoun would attest to, Kevin did a great job of representing the men’s basketball program and ultimately our state during his collegiate tenure. Shortly after beginning his NCAA career at UConn in 1992, Kevin went on to become a model of consistency as a point guard.  During his junior and senior years, he led the club to back-to-back Big East Conference titles and a 57-10 overall record with his rock-solid play.  The list of achievements is a lengthy one. As we prepare to honor Kevin, it is clear that he was not selected simply to continue on the “Husky” bloodline of award winners.  His professional career serves as a great indicator of Kevin’s character. At this level, he was originally drafted to the CBA and did not earn a spot on an NBA roster until 1997 when he was signed by the Dallas Mavericks. Now, in 2008, Kevin prepares to enter his 12th year in the League and currently is a free agent.  Over this long career, he has played for the Orlando, Sacramento, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Chicago, Indiana, Milwaukee, Seattle, and Cleveland franchises.  He is the definition of an NBA journeyman. Today, players who are frequently traded often have their work ethic or character brought into question. In this instance, it is Kevin’s character that has allowed him to enjoy such a long career. The host of NBA teams with which he has been a member reveals the undeniable value that Kevin brings to an organization. His contributions to these teams extend beyond what he does in an NBA game.  He is a guy that gives full effort in everything that he does, and always does things the right way.  Kevin leads by example.   For the past four seasons, he has led by example with the Philadelphia 76ers. Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski could not say enough about Kevin’s positive influence on the team and organization.  Although Ed will not be able to attend the breakfast, he said that the award cannot be given to a more deserving person. What solidifies Kevin as our Role Model Award winner is his outstanding commitment to his community.   In Connecticut, Kevin serves as event host for the Tolland Fund Golf Tournament, held at the Glastonbury Hills Country Club.  The beneficiary of this Tournament, The Tolland Fund, is a non-profit organization that promotes sport and physical activity for those with disabilities. For the past 12 years, Kevin has hosted this tournament and also brought some of his former teammates on board with this great cause.   Although not widely publicized in the state, Kevin has been equally active in the Philadelphia community.  Social Services and the Make-A-Wish Foundations are just a sampling of the organizations within the city that he gives his time and effort. For his demonstration of this character, Kevin embodies the qualities that are associated with the Chamber’s Role Model Award. We look forward to welcoming him to our County on Thursday. For more information on Chamber activities, please contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or email him at

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