Teaming Up With Coach K Nets A Remarkable Evening

Mike Krzyzewski, the paramount leader of the Duke University basketball team and Hall of Fame member, won everyone’s heart and rapt attention at an event in 2002. It was one for the Rory record books!

According to organizers and participants, the “Evening With Coach K” was a “slam dunk” for inspiration. It offered the chance to be one-on-one with a sports legend and the opportunity to learn from a leader and teacher who knows about winning, losing, and playing with the heart. From a fund-raising perspective it was “nothing but net.” Credit goes to the generosity of many team members and to one anonymous donor who underwrote expenses for the entire evening. The evening with Coach K went into triple overtime to battle one of the toughest opponents ever: pediatric brain tumors. As a tribute to Coach K and Rory, approximately $230,000 was raised.

Expectations Exceeded
“It exceeded our expectations in every area,” said Ross Deutsch, one of the strong forces behind the idea and its successful unfolding. “First, more people attended than we ever dreamed possible. Second, the amount of money we raised went way beyond our hopes, but that was just one aspect of the total value of the evening. Coach K gave multiple gifts to all of us that night. He not only helped us fulfill a fundraising goal; his words and ideas filled our minds and hearts.”

Ross continued: “Coach K never ceases to amaze me. He did not give a speech; he gave a full-blown presentation created just for us, complete with wonderful video clips. He is remarkable in front of an audience. He may be speaking to hundreds, but you get the feeling he is talking directly to you. And his words touch everyone: young, old, men, women, sports enthusiasts, and those who would not know a basketball from a volleyball.”

“It is the content, though, that makes his speeches so memorable. Basketball is just a metaphor. Coach K is really talking about a game plan for winning in life. His words ring true all the time and especially when you are up against a tough opponent like cancer, or even when you are battling another tough opponent – yourself!”

Ross was deeply grateful that Coach K never hesitated to include this event into his incredibly jam-packed schedule. “But that is just the start,” Ross added, “Coach K also promised to wear Rory’s pin whenever Duke played on television. He kept his word and I saw that pin proudly displayed on his chest all the way to NCAA tournament.” Ross was also moved by the Coach’s comments with regard to Foundation efforts. Noted Ross: “He talked about his teams over the years and how this team, our Rory team, can continue on its own championship quest to go the distance against pediatric brain tumors and other devastating childhood diseases. ‘Our victory,’ he said, ‘will be defined by the energy we bring to that quest, our commitment and the extent of our participation.’ What a message, what a show of support!”

First String Help
In creating a success, Ross Deutsch had tremendous first-string team help. First, from all-pro, David Duckler, who took the floor and put on a full court press as co-chair. “Anytime you get inspiration like this, you leave wanting to do everything you can,” Duckler said.

Next, coming in from the All-Star bench, was Arnie Rissman, sharing co-chair responsibilities with David and helping to make the Standard Club the venue for the evening. Added Arnie, “Coach K talked about living your life for the next play. If you get hit, move on. Do not let one thing keep you down. It was the kind of advice you really want to share with your kids.”

Also working tirelessly behind the scenes was Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, Coach K’s daughter. She was responsible for the décor and bringing the vision of the evening to life. Said Debbie: “David and Arnie wanted the evening to be elegant, but still all about kids and I think that’s exactly what we captured. When you walked into the room, you were immediately greeted by a sea of Duke D’s seen on the back of Rory t-shirts that were draped over all the chairs. To seat people, we placed a jersey at the center of each table sporting the name of a famous Duke player. There were six arches of floor-to-ceiling balloons in Duke colors that gave the feeling of a light, airy canapé over you. Plus, we had fifty big bouncing balls around the room and basketballs on stage for the kids to play with. I like to think the room was as beautiful as the evening was powerful,” she added.

Debbie juggles many balls at the same time. She is program coordinator for K Lab at Duke, and she coordinates special events for Duke charities. In addition she works with her dad, and is a devoted mom with two young children and one more on the way. How can she manage all that? She has a home court advantage: Coach K is her dad!

“There are three girls in the family,” she said, “and I believe there is a reason for that. It is our job to soften him.” Finally, regarding the Deutsch family, Debbie said, “They are some of the most special people I have ever met. They have such deep love and pull together for each other on Rory’s behalf. I was very impressed.”

Coach K’s Own Thoughts
“I am a huge believer in following your dreams and I am really not sure I have ever met a better example of two people who have followed their dreams, than Ross and Mindy Deutsch. They have taken the most horrific imaginable event in one’s life and turned it into a mission to literally change the world. I am deeply touched and honored that they invited me to share in their dream to support pediatric brain tumor research. Our team is going to help this dream come true and to continue making a difference – just like Rory continues to do every day.”