Inaugural West Coast

Joe DiMaggio Award Gala

Honors Chris Mullin ’81

Since 1999, Xaverian High School has hosted the pre-eminent educational fundraiser in the United States, the Joe DiMaggio Award Gala, in New York City. Tearing a page from our east-coast event, our school successfully inaugurated and held the first West Coast Joe DiMaggio Award Gala, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.

The Gala honored Chris Mullin, Class of 1981, and Xaverian’s first alumnus to receive this prestigious award. Chris has excelled at every level in the world of basketball beginning in the gymnasium at St. Thomas Aquinas, where he played for Xaverian’s legendary basketball coach, Jack Alesi, and culminating with an All-Star career with the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. Along the way, Chris earned the title of New York’s “Mr. Basketball” in 1981, the same year he brought the Xaverian Clippers their first State Championship; brought St. John’s to the Final Four; and earned two gold medals including one while playing next to NBA greats Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson on the “Dream Team.”

Chris’ successes on the court are equally matched by his success off the court. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Golden State Warriors. Most importantly, Chris has never forgotten where he came from. He is a loyal supporter of Xaverian High School and to show his love for the school created the Mullin Family Scholarship in 2005. A native of Danville, California, Chris was a natural selection for Xaverian’s Inaugural West Coast Joe DiMaggio Award Gala.

In addition the Gala, the Inaugural Joe DiMaggio Golf Tournament was held at Torrey Pines Golf Course, just two months before the United States Open takes place there on June 12 th. The South Course features several holes bordering the ocean and the views are absolutely amazing. Robert A. Cartwright ’89, the General Manager of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, not only served as the Gala and Tournament Chairperson and main Sponsor, but also won the Tournament. His foursome finished with a score of 59, going 13-under Par.

The weekend’s festivities were organized by Robert Cartwright ’89, Garry Phillips, Director of Star Destinations and Ed Savarese ’64. Their combined efforts, in addition to major sponsorships by the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, Vincent Iannelli ’68, Star Laundry and Corporate Logo, made our Inaugural West Coast Joe DiMaggio Gala and Golf Tournament a tremendous success.