Rick Pitino, the only coach in the history of college basketball to win the NCAA Championship with two different teams, will deliver a keynote address during the MUFSO SuperShow, taking place in Dallas Sept. 29 – Oct. 1.
Pitino, who led the Louisville Cardinals to the 2013 NCAA title, will speak at the foodservice conference on the morning of Oct. 1.
His presentation is part of a dynamic, education-focused MUFSO that will revolve around the theme of “Big Data. Big Trends. Big Ideas.” The agenda includes over 30 different educational sessions featuring more than 100 foodservice industry speakers. In addition, the MUFSO awards gala will honor some of the industry’s most acclaimed leaders.
“Not only is Coach Pitino a brilliant basketball mind, but he is also an accomplished author and motivational speaker, focusing on topics he knows well — leadership and success,” said Chris Keating, publisher of Nation’s Restaurant News. “MUFSO attendees are in for a special treat when he takes the stage.”
In 28 seasons as a collegiate head coach at five different schools, Pitino has compiled a 664-239 record and a .735 winning percentage that ranks 12th among active coaches. He also has the second-highest winning percentage in NCAA Tournament games among active coaches, winning 75 percent of his games in the post-season event with a 48-16 record in 18 tournament appearances.
A native of New York City, Pitino was inducted into the New York City Hall of Fame in 2006. He is also a member of the 2013 Induction Class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a lofty recognition for a lifetime of basketball achievement.
Pitino has coached at some of the most prestigious basketball programs in the world, including the NBA's Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. On the collegiate level he guided Kentucky to three NCAA Final Four appearances in his last five years there, winning the NCAA Championship in 1996. This year’s Final Four appearance was Pitino’s seventh Final Four trip overall, a feat matched by only five coaches all time.
Pitino got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Hawai'i in 1974. In addition to pro basketball and time spent with Kentucky, he served five years as head coach at Boston University and then two years at Providence College. He was named head coach of Louisville in 2001.
Aside from his hoops prowess, Pitino has achieved success off the court in broadcasting, publishing, motivational speaking and horse racing. He is also the author of the best-selling books, "Success Is A Choice" and "Lead to Succeed."
Now in its 54th year, MUFSO brings together operators from every segment, including large chains, growth chains and high-volume independents, as well as schools, colleges and universities, B&I, and healthcare. The event is managed and produced by Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality and Food Management and is being held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion.
For more information and to register, call 813-627-6992 or visit MUFSO.com. Operators who register before July 1 get a 25-percent discount on registration by using the promo code NNMF13.
