Donovan McNabb, the former standout quarterback for Syracuse University, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Syracuse Sport Management Club Charity Sports Auction on April 8 in the Carrier Dome, said Michael Veley, director of the SU sport management department.

Veley said the sport management club began pursuing McNabb as a speaker several months ago, and reached an agreement with him last week.

McNabb, who left Syracuse after the 1998 season and is now with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, won three Big East championships and three Big East offensive player of the year awards in his four years at SU. He still holds Big East and school records in total offense and passing touchdowns.

McNabb last visited Syracuse on May 13, 2005 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Iocolano-Petty Football Wing, a conditioning facility attached to Manley Field House. He donated $100,000 to help fund the building.

Veley hopes the appeal of one of SU football’s all-time greats will fill the Dome.

‘Being as recognizable as he is and as dear to Syracuse fans as he has become over the years, we expect a great turnout of people,’ Veley said.

As a professional, McNabb has been named to the Pro Bowl five times in his nine years, and took Philadelphia to the Super Bowl in 2005.

The third-annual auction will kick off at 5:30 p.m., and McNabb will speak an hour later. Last year, nearly 500 people attended the event, in which 400 items were auctioned off to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse. Basketball Hall of Fame member Bill Walton was the keynote speaker last year.

kbaustin@syr.edu

Published on February 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm