This is especially true this year because the basketball team has so many new players. As a result, the crowd was large and the room was crowded. Several media personnel such as Sid Hartman, a sports writer for the Star Tribune, were also in attendance. The purpose of the event and the speech is to thank the donors and fans for the support they give to men's basketball at the University of Minnesota. According to coach Haskins, sell-out crowds at Williams Arena for the past several years is something to be thankful for and this banquet is one way to say thank you to the fans and donors.
Donors consist of people who contribute financially to several areas of men's basketball.
Most donate money to the Williams Scholarship Fund. The event took place in the Williams Arena Club Room. This is a large room with glass windows on the side of the arenas. Beverages are served but if the people want food, they must pay to have it catered themselves. The night I attended, the room was decorated with maroon and gold balloons, napkins, and white tablecloths.