Since its inception, members of Board 60 have played a key role in the success of the annual Ronald McDonald House All-Star Game in helping to raise more than $500,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.
The house provides a “home-away-from-home” to families while their children receive needed medical care in Rochester. Former and current Board 60 officials help plan the all-star game and a banquet to support the house. In 2024, roughly $24,000 was raised for the house.
Board 60 referees officiate the boys’ game, work the scorer’s table and an admission’s table, take out ads in the game program, and work to ensure a successful fundraiser. Board 60 members and others looking to volunteer or contribute to the annual fundraiser should contact former Board 60 member Rich Dibble or current Board 60 member Joe Ryder for more information.
Ronald McDonald House
All-Star Basketball Game
Celebrating 40 Years of helping families in need!
PURPOSE
The purpose of the games is to showcase the talents of the area’s best high school basketball players, while at the same time raising money for the Rochester Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities.
The house is a home-away-from-home, a temporary lodging facility, where families of children with cancer, leukemia and other serious illnesses reside while the children are treated at nearby children’s hospitals.
HISTORY
The All-Star Games were first founded in 1985 by Michael Palermo and Ric Hamblin, who together operated the Games for 25 years. Since 2010, the Games have been coordinated by a volunteer committee, led by Rich Dibble and Dave Dence.
The All-Star Games were patterned after the nationally recognized McDonald’s All-Star Game. For the last 40 years, Board 60 (Boys) and CWGBO (Girls) have volunteered their time in partnership to operate all facets of the Games. This Event, and all the money raised, would not be possible without the active support of the Officials from both organizations.
All proceeds from the selling of game tickets and program advertisements, after expenses, are donated directly to the Rochester Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities.®. Since 1985, Board 60 has donated more than $510,000 as proceeds from the Games, including a record amount of $24,000 in 2024.
From the beginning, the Games included both Girls & Boys Players and Cheerleaders from all over Section V that were selected by their Leagues to participate in the Game. This Event is unique in that all 9 Leagues within Section V are invited to participate and allocated the number of Players they can select. This allows for every League, every area within Section V to participate in the Games and the fund raising effort.
The Event is the most prestigious event for all high school sports and draws +3,000 fans to watch on Game Day from all around the Section V area. This coming year will mark the 40th Annual All-Star Games. During that time, more than 2,700 Players and Cheerleaders have participated in the Games, all while raising money for the Rochester Ronald McDonald House.
APPROVALS
Approval for the games is obtained from each league, Section Five, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Insurance coverage and operating expenses are being provided by the Rochester Area McDonald’s Restaurants.
ALL-STAR PARTICIPANTS
- 60 Players (both Girls and Boys throughout Section V)
- 20 Cheerleaders (selected through League competitions)
- 10 Coaches
- 6 Game Officials
- 100+ Volunteers
SELECTION
Each League in Section V is responsible for selecting the Players that will represent their League at the Game. Each League is allocated the number of Players to be nominated to represent that League, based on School / League size. All Leagues are included and asked to nominate deserving Players, which allows for full representation from all over Section V. The All-Star Committee is not involved in Player Selection.
2025 ALL-STAR EVENTS
The 40th Annual All-Star Games schedule of Events will be as follows:
- Press Conference to introduce Players/Cheerleaders: Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Rochester Ronald McDonald House (3 p.m.)
- All-Star Practice: Monday, March 24 at Nazareth College
- All-Star Banquet: Wednesday, March 26 at the RIT Inn & Conference Center (350-400 attendance)
- All-Star Games: Saturday, March 29th at Gates Chili High School – Girls: 1 p.m./Boys, 3 p.m.
