IU basketball coach to speak at Hamilton Center dinner

Special to the Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE September 01, 2007 09:59 pm

— Hamilton Center announces that the Keynote Address for the 2007 Annual Dinner will be delivered by IU Men’s Basketball Coach Kelvin Sampson. The Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place Sept. 18 at Indiana State University’s Hulman Center.
Kelvin Sampson, a two-time national coach of the year who led Oklahoma to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (three Sweet 16, two Elite Eight and one Final Four finish), 10 20-plus win seasons, three Big 12 Tournament titles and a share of the 2004-05 regular season league crown in his 12-year Sooner tenure, was named the 26th head basketball coach in Indiana University history on March 29, 2006.
Hamilton Center was interested in bringing Coach Sampson to Terre Haute for several reasons.
Sampson has had a long interest in and passion for mentoring today’s youth, something that Hamilton Center does daily by providing mental health services to more than 4,500 children and adolescents in the 10 Indiana counties they serve.
In addition, Executive Director of Administrative Services for Hamilton Center Mel Burks, is uncle to one of Sampson’s top players, Terre Haute native Armon Bassett.
Burks recognized the link between Hamilton Center and Coach Sampson’s service to youth, and asked if he would be interested in speaking.
Sampson’s involvement with children includes his work as co-chairman of the United Way and Special Olympics, as well as his help instituting the Sooner Reading Program, where Oklahoma University players and staff visited every local elementary school to communicate the importance of reading.
Hamilton Awards will be presented to individuals, businesses and organizations that have contributed significantly to the cause of mental health and/or care of persons with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities or substance abuse problems.