BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//github.com/ical-org/ical.net//NONSGML ical.net 5.1.4//EN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Festus Ezeli\, former World Champion Warrior center\, returns t o speak to us about resilience\, philanthropy\, and recovery. Born in Nige ria\, Festus Ezeli embarked on a remarkable journey that began with aspira tions of becoming a doctor. At the age of 14\, he moved to the United Stat es\, landing in Yuba City\, California\, with dreams of attending medical school. Standing at 6’5″\, Festus’ uncle saw potential in his athlet ic frame and encouraged him to explore basketball — a sport he had never played. With a drive to succeed and an unrelenting work ethic\, Festus de dicated himself to learning the game\, quickly catching up to and surpassi ng peers who had played for years. His persistence paid off when he earned a spot at Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt\, he didn’t just play\; he excelled. Festus shattered records\, becoming the school’s all-time l eader in blocked shots and earning accolades for both his athletic and aca demic achievements. A standout moment was his pivotal role in leading Vand erbilt to its first SEC Championship in 50 years — a testament to his gr it and determination. In 2012\, Festus’ hard work culminated in a life-c hanging moment when he was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. By 2015\, he had reached the pinnacle of baske tball success\, becoming an NBA Champion. However\, Festus’ journey was not without adversity. A devastating knee injury nearly ended his career a nd threatened his ability to walk. Faced with a dire prognosis\, Festus ch anneled his inner resilience to overcome this challenge. His relentless re habilitation not only allowed him to recover but inspired the creation of his platform\, “Rebuilding the Beast\,” dedicated to helping others na vigate their own obstacles. Today\, Festus continues to inspire through hi s roles as an NBA Ambassador\, an advocate for NBA Africa\, and a voice fo r the Golden State Warriors. Off the court\, he has made a lasting impact through philanthropy\, founding schools in Nigeria and Sacramento\, and em powering underserved communities worldwide. This is a regular membership m eeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visit ing Rotarians\, prospective members\, and guests. Meeting Schedule: 12:0 0 Noon Registration & Networking 12:15 PM (sharp!)  Meeting begins  1: 30 PM  Meeting adjourns   Register here for In Person or Zoom attenda nce. For in-person attendees: We welcome all attendees! The in-person reg istration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday \, March 6\, 2026. The meeting cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on March 6\, 2026 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesday\, March 10. 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 maintain a good relationship with our h ost hotel.  For attendance via Zoom: For those who wish to participate v ia Zoom\, there is a $15 fee to attend. Accessibility: Hotel Nikko San Fra ncisco offers accessible entrances\, accommodations\, restaurants\, meetin g spaces\, and facilities so that every guest enjoys a comfortable visit. Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting\, please l eave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker ava ilable at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $25 for three hour s. Photo Policy and Disclaimer: By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you give to the Club permission to publish photos of you a t our events. If you have questions about this policy\, please contact sfr otary2@gmail.com. Email Policy and Disclaimer: By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you give to the Club permissi on to use your email to invite you to future events. If you have questions about this policy or wish to opt out at any time\, please contact sfrotar y2@gmail.com. DTEND:20260310T203000Z DTSTAMP:20260830T085115Z DTSTART:20260310T190000Z LOCATION:Hotel Nikko SEQUENCE:1 SUMMARY:ROTARY LUNCHEON: Festus Ezeli — Resilience\, Philanthropy\, and R ecovery UID:d479494f-7b36-45da-acfb-5a41b282e222 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Festus EzeliFestus Ezeli\, former World Champion Warrior center\, returns to speak to us about resilience\, philanthropy\, and recovery.

\n\n

Bor n in Nigeria\, Festus Ezeli embarked on a remarkable journey that began wi th aspirations of becoming a doctor. At the age of 14\, he moved to the Un ited States\, landing in Yuba City\, California\, with dreams of attending medical school. Standing at 6&rsquo\;5&Prime\;\, Festus&rsquo\; uncle saw potential in his athletic frame and encouraged him to explore basketball &mdash\; a sport he had never played.

\n\n

With a drive to succeed an d an unrelenting work ethic\, Festus dedicated himself to learning the gam e\, quickly catching up to and surpassing peers who had played for years. His persistence paid off when he earned a spot at Vanderbilt University. A t Vanderbilt\, he didn&rsquo\;t just play\; he excelled. Festus shattered records\, becoming the school&rsquo\;s all-time leader in blocked shots an d earning accolades for both his athletic and academic achievements. A sta ndout moment was his pivotal role in leading Vanderbilt to its first SEC C hampionship in 50 years &mdash\; a testament to his grit and determination .

\n\n

In 2012\, Festus&rsquo\; hard work culminated in a life-changi ng moment when he was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. By 2015\, he had reached the pinnacle of basketball success\, becoming an NBA Champion.

\n\n

However\, Festus&rsquo\; jo urney was not without adversity. A devastating knee injury nearly ended hi s career and threatened his ability to walk. Faced with a dire prognosis\, Festus channeled his inner resilience to overcome this challenge. His rel entless rehabilitation not only allowed him to recover but inspired the cr eation of his platform\, &ldquo\;Rebuilding the Beast\,&rdquo\; dedicated to helping others navigate their own obstacles.

\n\n

Today\, Festus c ontinues to inspire through his roles as an NBA Ambassador\, an advocate f or NBA Africa\, and a voice for the Golden State Warriors. Off the court\, he has made a lasting impact through philanthropy\, founding schools in N igeria and Sacramento\, and empowering underserved communities worldwide.< /p>\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \ n \n \n
\n

This is a regular membership meeting of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, open to all Rotarians\, visiting Rotarians\, prospective membe rs\, and guests.

\n\n

Meeting Schedule:

\n
12:00 NoonRegistration &\; Networkin g
12:15 PM (sha rp!) \;Meeting begins \;
1:30 PM \;Meeting adjourns
\n\n

 \;\n\n

Register here for In Person or Zoom att endance.

\n\n

F or in-person attendees: \;We welcome all atte ndees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday\, March 6\, 2026. The meeting cost increases to $ 60 at noon and beyond on March 6\, 2026 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesd ay\, March 10.

\n\n

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 h elping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel. \;

\n\n

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

\n\n

Acc essibility: Hotel Nikko San Francisco offers accessible en trances\, accommodations\, restaurants\, meeting spaces\, and facilities s o that every guest enjoys a comfortable visit.

\n\n

Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting\, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. The discoun ted parking is $25 for three hours.

\n\n

Photo Polic y and Disclaimer: By attending events of the Rotary Club o f San Francisco\, you give to the Club permission to publish photos of you at our events. If you have questions about this policy\, please contact < strong style="box-sizing: border-box\;">sfrotary2@gmail.com.

\n\ n

Email Policy and Disclaimer: \;By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco\, you g ive to the Club permission to use your email to invite you to future event s. If you have questions about this policy or wish to opt out at any time\ , please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com.

\n END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR