Joe Theismann Will Speak at Via Banquet

Former Washington Redskins MVP quarterback Joe Theismann will be the keynote speaker at the annual Via All-Star Banquet on March 28 at .

The banquet is part of a week of events that both honors regional high school basketball excellence and raises money for a nonprofit agency that provides services for people with developmental disabilities.

Theismann currently works for the NFL Network as an analyst for its “Playbook” program. Prior to that he was the color man for ESPN’s Sunday Night Football telecasts.

An All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up at Notre Dame, Theismann played 12 years in the NFL, all with the Redskins. He led Washington to one championship defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII and also won the NFL MVP in 1983.

In 1982, he won NFL Man of the Year for his community service and dedication to the health and welfare of children. His playing career ended abruptly in 1985 when he suffered a badly broken leg on national television in a Monday night game against the New York Giants.

The Via Teams of the Year, Players of the Year and Scholar Athletes will be announced at the banquet. The Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame will also induct new members.

The week’s events begin with the Via All Star Basketball Clinics on March 25 at .

The Via All‐Star Clinic for Kids with Special Needs, at 1 p.m., for children age eight and older, is an inclusive experience for all athletes. The clinic focuses on the fundamentals of basketball in a fun and inclusive setting.

The Inaugural Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame Clinic, at 3 p.m. is for 3rd to 8th graders and is run by members of the Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame. The clinic is $20 per player and will be run by Mike Kopp, head coach of Allentown Central Catholic’s girls’ basketball team.

The Inaugural Via Youth All‐Star Classic, at 6 p.m., features two games of area 8th grade all‐stars from the 22 traveling teams of the Lehigh Valley Kneehi Basketball League.

The week culminates with the 37th Annual Via All Star Basketball Classic on March 31, also at Northampton Community College. Starting at 10:30 a.m., it features a series of four boys and girls all-star basketball games and the Special Olympics Shootout.

Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non‐profit agency that provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, like autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Serving the community since 1954, Via helps individuals and families from birth through retirement focusing in Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment.

Tickets, sponsor information and event details for the Via All‐Star Basketball Classic, Clinics, Banquet and Hall of Fame are available online at www.ViaNet.org or by calling 610‐317‐8000 x489.