Fun time for all in the 1st ever Toyota Dan Dickau Charity Classic

August 1, 2005

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Spokane, WA - The night was filled with great causes, a great game, fun contests, NBA style entertainment, and even Napoleon Dynamite decided to dance, the only thing missing was defense. In the first ever Classic presented by Northern Quest Casino the red team led by Dallas Maverick All-star Jason Terry ran by Dickau’s White team for a 181-155 victory in an NBA style exhibition. The proceeds from which will benefit local Spokane Charities plus the rehabilitation efforts of another former Zag, Ronny Turiaf.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” said Dickau, the former GU All-American, who came up with the idea of sponsoring his charity basketball game about a year ago. “I think it was an unbelievable mix of NBA guys and Gonzaga guys playing together and having a good time.” “My team didn’t win, but it was because those other guys started out on fire and it was tough to come back. But I still had a great time.”

A crowd estimated by event organizers Northwest Sports & Entertainment, was approximately 4500, were treated to 48 minutes of run-and-gun basketball between teams comprised of current NBA players such as Kyle Korver, Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson, Josh Davis, Casey Jacobsen, Jared Reiner , and form Gonzaga players Dickau and Richie Frahm. Other former Zags included Matt Santangelo, Winston Brooks, Zach Gourde, Tony Skinner, Ryan Floyd, Kyle Bankhead and Cory Violette.

It was Terry and Santangelo who shot the Red team to an early 31-18 lead that grew to 52-32 at the end of the first quarter, leaving Dickau’s White team playing catch-up the rest of the way.

The 3-point shooting of Korver and Jackson was every bit as impressive as the array of thundering dunks- one of which came on a 360 degree spin by Frahm in the closing seconds of the contest. Defense, as it should be in an event like this, was non-existent.

In additional to basketball, there were numerous contests and giveaways, along with a halftime dance contest that featured Napoleon Dynamite look-alike Bryan Demke, who also recorded a video used to introduce the players and spoof with Korver.

Former Bulldog Blake Stepp, unable to play because of a bad knee, was in attendance coaching the White team. Blake’s coaching counterpart, Erick Lindgren, led the Red Team. Lindgren is a two-time World Poker Tour Champion, and last weeks ESPN telecast WSOP runner-up.

“Still, it was a fund night and a great event for a great cause,” said Santagelo, GU’s all-time assist leader. “I feel lucky that Dan decided to invite me. It’s great to be back in Spokane and play in the new arena.”

Dickau, the starting point guard for the New Orleans Hornets last winter, said he hopes to bring the event back again, hopefully on an annual basis. “We’ll set down with the organizers in the next couple of days and talk about it,” he said. “I’d love to make it an annual thing, but a lot depends on how much support we continue to get.”