BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//github.com/ical-org/ical.net//NONSGML ical.net 5.1.4//EN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Festus Ezeli speaks today on American sports\, education\, and opportunity. He is a Nigerian-born\, NBA champion who journeyed to America solo at the tender age of 14 in pursuit of his dreams to attend medical s chool. Once he arrived in Yuba City\, plans quickly changed when his uncle introduced him to basketball\, and Festus instantly fell in love with the game. Never having touched a basketball prior\, Festus worked tirelessly to develop his skills. His determination resulted in him being scouted by Vanderbilt University where he made history — broke the school’s recor d in blocked shots while earning all-academic and all-conference honors be fore winning the first SEC championship in 50 years. What seemed impossibl e upon his arrival in the US was now a reality. Festus graduated from Vand erbilt and became an NBA first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft joining th e Golden State Warriors\, where he went on to win a Championship in 2015 a nd was part of the team that broke Michael Jordan’s all-time win record in 2016. Life took a sharp turn when a debilitating knee injury not only e nded Festus’ professional career\, but also landed him in a life-threate ning surgical situation. After being told by his own doctor that he might not be able to walk again\, Festus was determined to prove the doctor wron g. He went on a mind and body mission and was not only able to play profes sional ball again\, but also took on a new meaning in life. His mission be came to help others become a higher version of themselves. This birthed hi s second passion Rebuilding the Beast —  a storytelling platform where Festus brings people who have overcome life altering hurdles together to share their stories in hopes that others can hear them and find the inspir ation to keep going.  The success of the Rebuilding the Beast podcast led Festus back to the Bay Area to become a Sports Analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area. Festus continues his passion to inspire others through motivational speaking in front of diverse audiences all around the world. He is also a n Ambassador for the NBA\, NBA Africa\, and his former team — the Gold en State Warriors. With the help of his family\, Festus has opened two sch ools: one in Nigeria to educate an underserved community (K-12) and one in Sacramento which caters to children with special needs. His mission is to help the community and uplift as many people as possible along the way. T his is a regular membership meeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visiting Rotarians\, prospective members\, and gue sts. Meeting Schedule: 12:00 Noon  Registration & Networking 12:15 PM (sharp!)  Meeting begins  1:30 PM  Meeting adjourns   Register her e for In Person or Zoom attendance. For in-person attendees: We welcome a ll attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday\, January 3\, 2025. The meeting cost incre ases to $60 at noon and beyond on January 3\, 2025 and includes any walk-i ns on Tuesday\, January 7. The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon\, prior to our Tuesday meeting\, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit\, thanks for helping us to mai ntain a good relationship with our host hotel.  For attendance via Zoom:  For those who wish to participate via Zoom\, there is a $15 fee to atten d. Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting\, pleas e leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $25 for three h ours. Photo Policy and Disclaimer: By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you are giving to our Club your permission to publish p hotos of you as an attendee at our events. If you have questions about thi s policy\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com. Email Policy and Disclaime r: By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you are giving to our Club your permission to use your email to invite yo u to future events. If you have questions about this policy or wish to opt out at any time\, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com. DTEND:20250107T213000Z DTSTAMP:20260901T004900Z DTSTART:20250107T200000Z LOCATION:Hotel Nikko SEQUENCE:1 SUMMARY:ROTARY LUNCHEON: Festus Ezeli - An American Story of Sports\, Educa tion\, and Opportunity UID:08ba907a-8da6-4209-a7a3-f27c4a4ff84d X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Festus EzeliFestus Ezeli speaks today o n American sports\, education\, and opportunity. He is a Nigerian-born\, N BA champion who journeyed to America solo at the tender age of 14 in pursu it of his dreams to attend medical school. Once he arrived in Yuba City\, plans quickly changed when his uncle introduced him to basketball\, and Fe stus instantly fell in love with the game. Never having touched a basketba ll prior\, Festus worked tirelessly to develop his skills. His determinati on resulted in him being scouted by Vanderbilt University where he made hi story &mdash\; broke the school&rsquo\;s record in blocked shots while ear ning all-academic and all-conference honors before winning the first SEC c hampionship in 50 years.

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What seemed impossible upon his arrival in the US was now a reality. Festus graduated from Vanderbilt and became an NBA first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft joining the Golden State War riors\, where he went on to win a Championship in 2015 and was part of the team that broke Michael Jordan&rsquo\;s all-time win record in 2016.

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Life took a sharp turn when a debilitating knee injury not only ende d Festus&rsquo\; professional career\, but also landed him in a life-threa tening surgical situation. After being told by his own doctor that he migh t not be able to walk again\, Festus was determined to prove the doctor wr ong. He went on a mind and body mission and was not only able to play prof essional ball again\, but also took on a new meaning in life.

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Hi s mission became to help others become a higher version of themselves. Thi s birthed his second passion Rebuilding the Beast \;&mdash\;& nbsp\; a storytelling platform where Festus brings people who have overcom e life altering hurdles together to share their stories in hopes that othe rs can hear them and find the inspiration to keep going. \;

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The success of the Rebuilding the Beast podcast led Festus back t o the Bay Area to become a Sports Analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area. Festus continues his passion to inspire others through motivational speaking in f ront of diverse audiences all around the world. He is also an Ambassador f or the NBA\, NBA Africa\, and his former team \;&mdash\; \;the Gol den State Warriors. With the help of his family\, Festus has opened two sc hools: one in Nigeria to educate an underserved community (K-12) and one i n Sacramento which caters to children with special needs. His mission is t o help the community and uplift as many people as possible along the way.< /p>\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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This is a regular membership meeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visiting Rotarians\, prospective membe rs\, and guests.

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Meeting Schedule:

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12:00 Noon \;Registration &\; Ne tworking
12:15 PM (sharp!) \;Meeting begins \;
1:30 PM \;Meeting adjourn s
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&n bsp\;

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Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance.

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For in-person attendees: \;We welcome all attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday\, January 3\, 2025. The meeting cost incr eases to $60 at noon and beyond on January 3\, 2025 and includes any walk- ins on Tuesday\, January 7.

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The Hotel Nikko ho lds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon\, prior to our Tu esday meeting\, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit\, thanks for helping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel . \;

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For attendance via Zoom: \;For those who wish to participate via Zoo m\, there is a $15 fee to attend.

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Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for thi s meeting\, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a va lidation sticker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking i s $25 for three hours.

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Photo Policy and Disclai mer: By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francis co\, you are giving to our Club your permission to publish photos of you a s an attendee at our events. If you have questions about this policy\, ple ase contact \;sfrotary2@gmail.com.

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< strong style="box-sizing: border-box\;">Email Policy and Disclaimer: \;By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of Sa n Francisco\, you are giving to our Club your permission to use your email to invite you to future events. If you have questions about this policy o r wish to opt out at any time\, please contact \;sfrotary2@gmail.com.

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