KemperLesnik/KemperSports Chairman Steve Lesnik Inducted into Chaminade University Athletics Hall of Fame

MAUI, HAWAII – Chaminade University inducted Steven H. Lesnik, chairman of KemperLesnik and KemperSports, based in Northbrook, Ill., into the Silversword Hall of Fame at its sixth annual intercollegiate athletics gala on Feb. 28, 2014. The event took place at the Ala Moana Beach Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lesnik is the founder of KemperLesnik, operator of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990. With Lesnik’s leadership and vision, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational has become the premier early-season college basketball tournament in the nation. His daughter, Blaine, serves as secretary of the University’s Board of Governors.

“We can think of no individual more deserving than Steve to go onto our Hall of Fame,” said Chaminade University President, Bro. Bernard J. Ploeger. “What he has done to contribute to and improve our University goes beyond the call, and we are very blessed to have him part of our ’ohana.”

The Silverswords Hall of Fame has seven previous inductees, including the 1982-83 men’s basketball team that defeated No. 1-ranked Virginia, the memorable upset that led to the creation of the Tournament. Lesnik joins Kathleen “Kitty” Wo this year as the eighth and ninth members of the prestigious Hall. Wo is the owner and director of the Sullivan Family of Companies, which includes Foodland Super Market.

The athletics gala has raised more than $700,000 in five years in support of Chaminade’s 10 sports programs and 130 student-athletes. Funds from the event will go to travel expenses, uniforms, scholarships and more.

The 2014 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will be held Nov. 24-26, 2014 at the Lahaina Civic Center on the beautiful island of Maui. Participating teams include No. 3 Arizona, No. 10 San Diego State, BYU, Kansas State, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Purdue and host Chaminade. Ticket travel packages for the 2014 Championship Round are now on sale. To purchase, please visit www.mauiinvitational.com/travel or contact the Tournament’s travel department at 800.826.3822.

For more information about the Tournament, please visit www.mauiinvitational.com. You can also follow live updates and interact with the Tournament on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @EASPORTSMauiInv.

SOURCE: KemperSports