May 10, 2016
NEW YORK - The New Orleans Pelicans and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced today that Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry will be inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 11th during a ceremony in New Orleans. Since its inception more than 100 years ago, BGCA has provided kids and teens of all backgrounds with the opportunity to grow and achieve a great future. To celebrate the accomplishments of former Boys & Girls Clubs members, BGCA annually recognizes distinguished alumni during the organization’s annual National Conference, held this year in New Orleans.
The event will be hosted by Courtney B. Vance and honor seven other distinguished alumni who have also gone on to make major contributions in their fields from sports to entertainment to business. Their stories are very different, but all started out the same – with the life-changing programs, caring staff and the fun, safe environment of a local Boys & Girls Club.
The BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame “Class of 2016” inductees include: Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of the United States Tennis Association, Katrina Adams; President of Louisiana State University, F. King Alexander; Chief Financial Officer of Anthem Inc., Wayne DeVeydt; Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, Alvin Gentry; Drummer, Jim Keltner; Professional Model, Damaris Lewis; Retired NBA Player, Willie Naulls; and Comedian, JB Smoove.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame,” said Gentry. “The Boys & Girls Club taught me so many valuable principles as a young boy growing up in Shelby, NC that I still carry with me today. I feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization and am so thankful to be selected for this prestigious recognition.”
Gentry began his coaching career at the college level, which includes serving as assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA National Champion University of Kansas. In 1989, he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach. Following similar stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat, Gentry was named Detroit Pistons’ head coach in 1998. He later served as head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns, leading the Suns to a career-high 54 wins and the 2009-10 Western Conference Finals. Last year, Gentry claimed his first NBA Championship as associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.