On Wednesday, March 13, the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) hosted its 2019 Fielding Dreams Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The sold-out event raised over $1 million. The event, co-chaired by Lucy Fato, executive vice president and general counsel of AIG, and Justin G. Hamill, partner at Latham & Watkins, LLP, honored the Governors Ball Music Festival and U.S. women’s soccer legend Carli Lloyd.
Aimee Boden, president of Randall’s Island Park Alliance, commented, “We are so grateful to this year’s honorees for their commitment to Randall’s Island cultural events and youth athletics. Their support, along with the generous support of our trustees, business and community partners, continues to allow Randall’s Island to be a special place in the city where there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
The evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a speaking program emceed by Doug Williams, host of SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York.” Chief Strategy Officer of Live Nation Entertainment Jordan Zachary presented the Fielding Dreams Award to Tom Russell of The Governors Ball Music Festival. Sunil Gulati, former president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), introduced and presented Carli with the Champion for Children Award. Each speaker reflected on Randall’s Island Park’s crucial role in providing New York City’s children with a safe and well-maintained place to play sports and pursue their athletic dreams.
Tom Russell, co-partner of Founders Entertainment and the owner of Governors Ball Musical Festival, said, “As native New Yorkers, our goal from the onset was to bring our hometown a marquee music festival that New Yorkers could call their own. We know that none of it would have been possible without a venue as special and unique as Randall’s Island and a partner as supportive as RIPA.”
Lloyd accepted the award and reflected, “I was once a girl who had a dream and who loved playing sports, loved going to my local field down the street from me. You are seeing less and less kids being active and it is truly remarkable to see what you have done with this complex. What you guys are doing here at Randall’s Island Park Alliance is fantastic.”