Philadelphia

Dr J Gala with George Lopez, Alan Thicke, Cedric the Entertainer at The Rittenhouse Hotel

September 15, 2015 by HughE Dillon

Legendary Hall of Fame Basketball
forward Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, hosted the Julius Erving Golf Classic
(JEGC),  this past weekend in Philadelphia which welcome celebrities,
golfers and fellow athletes for a one-of-a-kind weekend of legends, and
golf in support of The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. 

Julius Winfield Erving II (Dr. J, The Doctor). Position: Small Forward ▫ Shoots: Right Height: 6-7 ▫ Weight: 210 lbs.
Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim.

Dr. J and his first coach Don Ryan a volunteer at the Hempstead
Salvation Army in Long Island, New York. Ryan was a mentor/father figure
to 12 year old Julius Erving for years, and for
the rest of his career was only a phone call away. Ryan paid tribute to
Dr J. speaking about how the Salvation Army programs helped shape a boy as well as perfect his talent. Coach Ryan, who is still active in basketball today, related a story of how
when their Salvation Army basketball team played in a tournament in
Philly, they stayed at the Divine Lorraine for $2 a night in the 60’s.
He was glad to hear that the building was being renovated again.

Anna Bostic and Earl Harvey Jr.
Chad Dion Lassiter, University of Penn and Necol Millsop, Solider of Love Foundation

Ellen Smith
Roxi Fab
 Neil Shah, Avi Shah and Jay Shah, Hersha Hospitality owners of the Rittenhouse Hotel.
 Vivica Fox, who told me that she just signed on to do a recurring role on Empire.
 Laura Price, Matt Cord and Annie Morris
Earle Harvey and legendary coach Sonny Hill

There
were a lot of beautiful people gracing the red carpet, unfortunately
there wasn’t anyone around to say who they were but they deserve a moment in the spotlight.

The weekend included a basketball clinic, a spa day for the ladies, a golf outing and the black tie gala. A full schedule of fun, friendship and charitable giving.

In a recent Us Magazine interview Alan Thicke already revealed that he and his wife Tanya Callau have sex while listening to his son Robin Thicke’s songs.
George Lopez was on hand for the weekends events
Surprise guest Phillip Bailey accompanied by Mike Phillips!

Basketball Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving, his wife Dorys Madden with his daughter Jazmin (l) and their daughter Julietta next to her.
The day was very moving as Dr J talked about his friend Moses Malone, who had died earlier in the day, as well as long time friend and one of his coaches, Roosevelt Union Free School School District and Alumni Association Ray Wilson, legendary basketball coach of the school’s basketball team.

Cedric the Entertainer poses with a fan inside the gala,
which was a cocktail party, with a buffet and dancing til midnight.

Major Philip Ferreira Directors of Operations at the Philadelphia Salvation Army, thanks Dr J for his years of contributions to the Salvation Army, and for his basketball clinic at the Kroc Center earlier in the day. He mentored several dozen young boys who someday hope to aspire to shine in the NBA as well as in life.
Spotted in the crowd Reggie Jackson

Proceeds from the events over the weekend went to Dorys Ervings Fit Youth Foundation, NBA Cares
Grab a Ball and the Salvation Army.