Have you ever wanted to know why Cal runs their post up high in the half-court set? Or how USF orchestrates its fast break? Or what is the defensive philosophy that St. Mary's institutes? Or why Pacific likes to recruit overseas? These and similar questions will be answered at the third annual NCAA Basketball Tip-Off Dinner hosted by the San Francisco Olympic Club, Wednesday October 11, 2006.

The 10 Division I college head coaches in Northern California (California, Stanford, Fresno State, St. Mary's, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Sacramento State, San Jose State, UC Davis and Pacific) will be on hand at the Lakeside Club on Skyline Boulevard in San Francisco to discuss their programs and provide some insight into the upcoming college basketball season.

"There will be a ton of basketball guys there at the dinner listening to what the coaches have to say and networking," said Phil Galvin, basketball director at the Olympic Club and organizer of the dinner.

The event will be hosted by Dan Belluomini, former head coach at the University of San Francisco and one of the best college basketball commentators on TV.

"All 10 Northern California Division I college coaches and their staffs will be at the dinner talking about their programs and outlooks for the season," continued Galvin. "You get to see people and the coaches get to network. It is a basketball junkie's paradise, as there is no other event like this in the country."

In the past 10 years, Northern California has become a hotbed of prep, junior college and Division I college basketball. Various national level programs come to the area to recruit talent, play the teams in the region and consult some of its various basketball minds and coaches. The coaches' dinner helps to highlight some of the great minds of the game as well as give coaches a chance to network.

The NCAA Tip-Off Dinner is October 11, 2006 with cocktails beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. at the Lakeside Club on Skyline Boulevard in San Francisco. The dinner is $50 per person. Seating is limited. Dress is coat and a tie. For more information, call (415) 345-5107 or email kerickson@olyclub.com.