ESPN & TNT BROADCASTER KEYNOTE SPEAKER MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Meet Chris Spatola
Army Veteran
A graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, Spatola was a four-year starter on the basketball team. After graduating in 2002, Spatola became an officer in the United States Army. During his active time, he served as a Company Commander and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for exceptional combat performance during a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Coach
Spatola was hired by Mike Krzyzewski and was a member of the Duke men’s basketball coaching staff from 2007-2012, a span that saw the Blue Devils win a National Championship in 2010. Spatola also served as a court coach for the United States Men’s National Team that won gold in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and gold in the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul.
Media
Spatola has been in media since 2012 and currently serves as one of the top basketball analysts for ESPN, as well as a radio host for Sirius/XM.
Speaker
Spatola serves regularly as a keynote speaker and master of ceremonies
Testimonials
"As the Master of Ceremonies for the annual V Foundation Wine Celebration, Chris Spatola effortlessly connects with the gala audience with his infectious energy and passion for the cause. The importance of setting the tone for an evening of funding critical cancer research is seamlessly achieved by Chris, whose engagement is insightful, humorous and establishes an excitement of what's to come in the program. Chris is also adept at stepping in at a moment's notice to keep the evening moving with a positive spirit that resonates with the crowd and leaves a lasting impression for all involved."
Jane Baer, SVP, V Foundation for Cancer Research
"Chris adds energy to any room he enters. His combination of earnestness, humor, vulnerability and passion has made him an annual hit as a guest lecturer in my Mission-Driven Life course. His Spatola Basketball Camps have a similar blend of intensity, storytelling, character-building and fun. Chris tells it like it is - and cares deeply about making it better."
Michael Ulku-Steiner, Head of School, Durham Academy