As Probe Continues, `Champions' Performance Set for This Weekend

Organizers of the Eliot House ice skating charity "An Evening With Champions" yesterday said they expect a sellout crowd and proceeds of more than $100,000 from this weekend's event.

Jonathan S. Kolodner '94 and Kelly L. Morrison '94, co-chairs for the show, said they expect the event to raise more than $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund of Dana-Farber's Cancer Institute. Cumulative donations for the show, now in its 24th year, exceed $1.3 million.

But advertising revenues this year have been hurt by a scandal that erupted this summer, Kolodner said. In July, the current organizers discovered that $160,000 were missing from donations made over the past two years. The money has still not been found, and the Middlesex District Attorney's office is investigating two former student organizers of the show on embezzlement charges.

Kolodner also said that some of the companies and donors that purchased ads in last year's program were not comfortable doing so this year.

He said, however, that the negative publicity stemming from last year's scandal has not affected this year's ticket sales. This weekend's shows have nearly sold out, as between 8,000 and 8,500 people have purchased tickets. "We're very excited about the show," Kolodner said. "Everyone in Eliot House has put a lot of work into preparing it. It's going to be one of the best."

About 250 Eliot House residents, more than half the house population, have volunteered their time to the show. Paul Wylie '91, a 1992 Olympic silver medalist, and Nancy Kerrigan, a 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, are two of the more than 25 world-class skaters featured in the showcase.

Other skaters performing this weekend include Peter and Kitty Carruthers, 1984 Olympic silver medalists in pair skating, and Alexander Zhulin and Maia Usova, 1993 World Champions in ice dancing.

The first show is tonight at 8 p.m., at the Bright Hockey Center. There will also be shows at 8 p.m. tomorrow and at 1 and 6 p.m. on Sunday.