Passion and talent.

There was a lot of both at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Third Annual VISIONS Men’s Event May 26, where CBS sports commentator Jim Nantz held center court in a
ballroom packed with nearly 400 federation donors.

Nantz screened videotapes, told personal stories and shared highlights from his 20-year sports broadcasting career. But Nantz also created a few surprise moments of his own.

“I have the greatest job in the world, one I dreamed of as a young boy,” said Nantz, who shared a personal vision for his future. “I want to serve, to make a difference, and I wouldn’t
mind representing my state in some way” revealed the Westport, Conn. resident.

Nantz surprised the audience with an autographed sports-themed “tzedakah” (charity) box which he designed for the national United Jewish Communities (UJC) eBay auction this summer. Not only did he choose the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford as his favorite charity to receive his designated share of the proceeds, but he also donated a $5,000 check to the 2005 Annual Campaign to a heartfelt standing ovation.

Themes for the night were “hustle, grit, determination and teamwork” when Nantz welcomed event sponsors and donors to a pre-game VISIONS reception at the Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford. Modest and affable, Nantz treated everyone like a sports star, signing autographs, posing for pictures and trading one-liners with fans queuing up to meet him.

Event coaches for VISIONS were Steven Greenspan, Gene Rosenberg and Richard Rosenthal. Federation Cup Team Managers were David Federman, Bradley Hoffman and Evan Levy. Lee D. Pollock is 2005 Annual Campaign Chair.

Nantz says he doesn’t “talk about stats, but rather the heartbeat, the people and the humanity” when he’s covering NFL football, The Masters golf tournament or college basketball
for CBS. “Play Generously. Live Generously” was more than just the theme for the night. Nantz took it personally and led the audience by example.

“With the combination of passion and talent, you can do a lot of great things, whether it’s pouring your heart into a great cause or leading a championship team,” he said.  Nantz was impressed with the scope of global and local people-to-people services and programs supported by the federation and listed on the table pledge cards. “We are all so lucky, all of us can make a difference. You have that chance, that’s why you’re here tonight."

Nantz played his sports version of “American Idol” and called up two men from the audience to compete for the grand prize, his CBS Sports golf blazer worn on-air during The
Masters. Following a heated competition calling Tiger Woods’ golf play-by-play at The Masters and answering Uconn Husky trivia, the winner was announced. Cheered on by the audience, David Wetsman bested David Gelles for the prized jacket.

One of the top sports commentators of our time, Jim Nantz has covered every major sport for CBS since joining the network in 1985. He holds the lead play-by-play slot for The NFL on CBS, hosts the Super Bowl and anchors CBS golf coverage, including The Masters and the PGA Championship. Nantz “lets the athletic competition be the star” as announcer for CBS coverage of college basketball, including the Final Four and national championship game. Nantz anchored CBS’ primetime 1998 Winter Olympic Games coverage. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2002, the same year he was named “Best Golf Host” by Golf Digest. Nantz’s assignments for CBS Sports include U.S. Open Tennis Championships, NCAA Track and Field, skiing, speed skating, baseball, swimming and diving, gymnastics and polo.

Corporate sponsors for VISIONS included Bank of America, Banknorth Connecticut, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Herz Financial, Lexus and Hoffman Lexus, People’s Bank, Webster,
Sovereign Bank, Day, Berry & Howard, LLP, Edwards & Angell,LLP, Farmington Savings Bank, Hartford Magazine, McCarter & English, LLP, NewAlliance Bank, U.S.Trust, The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company, Phil Growick/Security Mutual Life of New York, Reid & Riege, PC, and WFSB Channel 3 Eyewitness News.