Despite a year spent dealing with Covid, supporters of the V Foundation and fans of sportscaster Dick Vitale turned up at the Ritz-Carlton Friday evening in the fight for funds for pediatric cancer research. This year's event honored former University of Notre Dame women's head basketball coach Muffet McGraw, University of Florida head football coach Dan Mullen, Auburn University men's head basketball coach Bruce Pearl and ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor Scott Van Pelt. Vitale also recognized ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen with the John Saunders V Foundation Courage Award.

The night's festivities included the announcement of winners from three sold-out raffles; two winners took home a 2021 Mercedes-Benz and one a 2021 BMV convertible. Among other stars in attendance: Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, Baylor men's head basketball coach Scott Drew, aerialists Nik and Erendira Wallenda, and more. Thus far, in total the annual gala has raised over $40 million.