The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center’s All-Star Evening is living up to its name, with many notable celebrities on the guest list for the April event. In addition to the night’s chief honoree—NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, is set to receive the Ray Center’s Pillar of Character Award—a lengthy list of all-stars will be in attendance, including former NASA astronauts and professional and collegiate athletes and coaches.
Among the notable special guests is Maria Taylor, a sports analyst and host for ESPN and the SEC Network. Taylor covers an array of college athletics, specifically basketball, football and volleyball. [Note to media: Taylor will be available for interviews on April 13. Contact Amy Smit, amy.smit@drake.edu, with requests.]
“It’s exciting to have Maria Taylor joining us at this year’s All-Star Evening and continue ESPN/ABC’s longstanding support of CHARACTER COUNTS! programs across Iowa,” said Ray Cole, president and COO of Citadel Communications LCC. “Maria’s ascension up the ESPN/ABC ranks is best illustrated by her current roles as a reporter for both College Football GameDay on ESPN and Saturday Night Football on ABC. She has taken the lessons learned as a volleyball and women’s basketball star for the Georgia Bulldogs, and applied them well to her broadcasting career. Her character and vibrant personality also make her an ideal special guest as we honor Iowa’s own Peggy Whitson.”
The All-Star Evening, which is presented by Hy-Vee and honors many of The Ray Center’s programs, is scheduled for April 13 in West Des Moines. More information and an updated list of all-star special guests is on the Ray Center’s website.