SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN
CHICAGO — Former University of Central Arkansas star Scottie Pippen and his wife, Larsa, were honored Tuesday night at the Chicago Bulls’ annual charity event, “An Evening with the Chicago Bulls.”
In its 24th year, the evening included a cocktail reception in the United Center concourse and dinner on the floor of the United Center, along with live and silent auctions, entertainment, and guests including a number of Bulls legends such as Steve Kerr and Toni Kukoc and the 2012-13 Chicago Bulls. Other celebrities in attendance weere Lady Gaga, Bo Jackson and cast members of the hit TV show “Chicago Fire.” The event raised money for Chicago Bulls Charities.
Scottie and Larsa Pippen were joined by their children, Scotty, Preston, Justin and Sophia.
The night began with a pre-dinner cocktail reception featuring the fantasy presentation of artists from Redmoon Theater and the rapid-fire painting style of Artbeat Live! The emcee for the evening was David Eigenberg, star of the hit TV shows “Chicago Fire” and “Sex and the City”, and throughout the dinner and program guests were entertained with performances by comedian Gary Owen from the hit TV show “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and hit movie “Think Like A Man”, and rock violin quartet Ken Arlen’s Sirens, along with other surprises.
Scottie and Larsa were named as this year’s recipients of the Charles Lubin Memorial Award, an honor given to a player who has significantly contributed to the community, someone who has excelled off the court as well as on it. It is named for the late Charles Lubin, a Bulls investor who was also the founder of Sara Lee. Past recipients of the award have included Michael Jordan, John Paxson, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. This year was the first occasion a retired player has received the award. It was also the first time a couple has been honored.
“It’s very humbling to see so many familiar faces, family members, longtime friends and former teammates in attendance and it really means a lot,” said Pippen. “What we accomplished on the court was special and unmatched in many ways. And while all of that success brought us fame and fortune, it also put me into a position where I’m able to give back to the city that has given me so much.”
“I’ve had several opportunities to work with Nancy Reinsdorf, Leslie Forman and the Chicago Bulls Charities over the years and it’s always such a great experience,” said Larsa Pippen. “Scottie and I have been blessed with a lot in our lifetime together and we’re fortunate to be in a position where we can have a positive impact on our community and those in it. Not only is it the right thing to do as people, but it’s the right thing to do as parents of four young children who we are trying to raise in the best possible way.”
Everyone attending received an authentic piece of the Chicago Bulls’ used floor in the Chicago Stadium from 1987 to 1994 autographed by Scottie Pippen.
Pippen, who is in both the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, was a member of Bulls’ teams that won six NBA titles.
View video tribute at the event here:
http://www.nba.com/bulls/community/bulls-honor-scottie-and-larsa-pippen-...