The Wyndham Hotel in Center City was transformed into a Philadelphia sports fan's paradise on Friday night, with Penn men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy and his Saint Joseph's counterpart, Phil Martelli, at the center of attention.
The National Adoption Center honored the two Palestra sideline veterans at its 21st annual Celebrity Gala and Auction, a cause dear to the hearts of the many local sports and business celebrities who attended.
"I've got a special place in my heart for the National Adoption Center," said Dunphy, who has an adopted son. "There are a lot of kids out there who need homes, and anything I can do to bring this cause to light, that's what I'd like to do."
The hundreds in attendance were able to bid on a wide range of sports memorabilia from nearly all of Philadelphia's teams, works of art and restaurant and travel packages. Many were part of a silent auction, which took up the first two-and-a-half hours of the event, with a few special items part of a live auction at the end.
Among the more celebrated live auction items were a trip to next year's Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., sets of tickets on the team benches for next season's Penn-Princeton and Saint Joseph's-Villanova games and an autographed jersey of St. Joseph's star Jameer Nelson.
"It's a real hoot for someone to be sitting with Fran during the game," said National Adoption Center Director of Communications Gloria Hochman, who added that Dunphy regularly contributes the Penn-Princeton tickets.
The increase in attention paid to St. Joseph's this season may have helped its items sell for a higher price. While the Penn-Princeton tickets sold for $750, seats to the "Holy War" with Villanova brought in $1,100 and the Nelson jersey $1,700."
"We're fortunate. The jobs that we have, that people would make a fuss over our individual accomplishments," Martelli said. "But to me, there's so many heroes in this room. If I could come and lend a hand, they can always count on me to do that."
Emcee Larry Kane, a veteran broadcaster with KYW 1060 AM, said that the coaches "are teachers, they are public servants, they are people of commitment."
In his speech to the crowd before the live auction began, Dunphy admitted that he had a "very weak spot" for the National Adoption Center.
"I hope you have a very strong hand and wallet tonight as you go about bidding for these items," he said. "Anything we can all do for young people, that's what our charge is to do."
In his speech, Martelli was more direct.
"Anybody who isn't raising their hand, Pat Croce will be around to see you personally," Martelli said, referring to the former 76ers general manager who maintains a considerable presence on the local sports scene.
"It's a great event," Croce said. "Phil and I grew up together. We're both from Lansdowne, we're the same age. Fran Dunphy lives around the corner from me. And anything for the Big 5."
Among the other celebrities in attendance were Comcast Executive Vice President and Penn alumnus David Cohen, and Fox Philadelphia sports anchor Don Tollefson, who served as an auctioneer in the live auction.
"Fran is just a gem of a citizen in this community," said Cohen, who has attended the event for over a decade. "He has always been able to find a way and time to give back to the community, and of course the National Adoption Center is one of the great causes."
Tollefson also lauded Dunphy and Martelli for their contributions outside of basketball.
"They're a part of a tradition of people who grew up in this area, who stayed in this area, are part of this area on and off the court," Tollefson said. "But I think the example they set for their players, and also when other coaches come to town, it's just an amazing standard they've set for giving back to the community."
