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Broadcaster Don Criqui headlines education dinner

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Contributed by: Diocese of Buffalo on 11/20/2007

The radio voice of Notre Dame Football will be the keynote speaker at the "Celebrate Catholic Education Dinner 2008" on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.

Kenmore native Don Criqui, a graduate of St. John the Baptist School and St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute (both in Kenmore), and the University of Notre Dame, will share details of how his Catholic education helped to lead him to a successful, award winning career in sports broadcasting. Along with his play-by-play duties covering the Fighting Irish on the Westwood One Radio Network, Criqui also calls NFL games on

CBS-TV and has hosted network Olympic coverage. In 2003, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Pete Roselle Radio-Television Award.

"Don continues the impressive list of keynote speakers we've had at the dinner since its inception in 2001," said David J. Kersten, executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. "He exemplifies the best of what a Catholic education can do for an individual and we're delighted that he will be coming home to address more than a thousand guests regarding his insights into the value of Catholic education."

Among the previous dinner speakers: Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York; Tim Russert, host of NBC-TV's "Meet the Press;" and JoAnn Falletta, music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Maureen and Mike Pratt of Christ the King Parish in Snyder are the chair couple for the dinner. The Pratts and their children have all attended Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, including St. Paul and St. John the Baptist (both in Kenmore), St. Benedict and Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart (both in Eggertsville), Christ the King (Snyder), St. Mark, Holy Angels Academy, Canisius High School, Canisius College, D'Youville College (all in Buffalo) and Niagara University.

In the nine year history of the Celebrate Catholic Education Dinner, nearly $1 million has gone directly to support the needs of Catholic schools and religious education programs in the eight counties of Western New York that make up the Diocese of Buffalo.

The dinner will honor recipients of the Bishop's Medal, to be presented by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec. A Catholic educator will also be awarded the Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm Making A Difference Award. Honorees will be announced at a later date.

To sponsor the event or to purchase tickets or tables, please contact Diocesan Foundation Office at 716.847.8370.

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