WHO: At 7-foot-7, Sudanese-born Manute Bol was known as the NBA's tallest player. Now, Bol has teamed up with famed pollster John Zogby to achieve an even higher goal: building schools in the war-torn villages of his native Sudan through the non-profit organization Sudan Sunrise. Bol and Zogby will tour Rochester to raise awareness about the reconciliation project. This program is sponsored by the University of Rochester.
TIME, DATE, PLACE: Various times, locations on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY: Bol and Zogby will have media availability during these times:
Walt Disney Elementary School Presentation (9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 175 Coldwater Rd.) – Manute Bol and John Zogby will speak to third, fourth, and fifth graders at the Walt Disney Elementary School in Gates. Photo/Video permitted.
Mt. Hope Family Center Presentation (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 187 Edinburgh St.) – Manute Bol and John Zogby will speak to children enrolled in the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) after-school club. Photo/Video permitted.
One-on-One Press Availability (2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Welles-Brown Room of Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester River Campus) – Manute Bol and John Zogby will be available for one-on-one interviews. Photo/Video permitted.
University of Rochester Presentation (7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Interfaith Chapel, University of Rochester River Campus) – Manute Bol and John Zogby, along with student groups, will address the University and Rochester communities about Sudan Sunrise. A highlight will be a new biographical video of Bol, created for this event by NBA Entertainment, Inc. Photo/Video permitted.
ABOUT MANUTE BOL: Bol emigrated to the United States in 1983 and attended the University of Bridgeport before entering the NBA in 1985. According to the NBA video, Bol "was a fan favorite everywhere." During his decade with the league, Bol often returned to Sudan and since retiring, has donated more than $3.5 million of his earnings to support refugees in Sudan. Through Sudan Sunrise, the Manute Bol Turalei School Project is working to build 41 schools in his home village of Turalei and elsewhere.
ABOUT JOHN ZOGBY: John Zogby is President and CEO of Zogby International, a worldwide research and marketing firm based in Utica, New York. He founded the company in 1984, became a famed political pollster, and now conducts business in more than 70 countries. Zogby holds degrees in history from Le Moyne College and Syracuse University. Says broadcaster Tom Brokaw: "John Zogby always knows the pulse of America."
ABOUT SUDAN SUNRISE: Based in Kansas, Sudan Sunrise is a grassroots organization that facilitates reconciliation efforts in Sudan. The movement, which began in 2004, brings aid and builds school for Darfurian and Southern Sudanese refugees. For more information, visit www.sudansunrise.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Media interested in interviewing Bol or Zogby can call Melissa Greco Lopes at 585.314.8289 or email mgrecolo@ur.rochester.edu for more information. Media availability for Monday, Nov. 2 can also be arranged in advance.