May 15th | Trumbull Marriott | 7:30 - 9:30 am

Presented By

Sponsored By

PROUD TO WELCOME BACK GUEST SPEAKER

CHRISTOPHER ‘MAD DOG’ RUSSO

Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo is a pioneer of sports talk radio, known for his feisty, rapid-fire delivery and iconic show-opening, “Aaaaaaaand good afternoon, everybody!” With nearly 40 years in the industry, he has influenced countless sports media personalities and helped shape the format as we know it today.

After gaining national fame with Mike and the Mad Dog, the groundbreaking show that dominated New York’s airwaves for 19 years, Russo launched Mad Dog Sports Radio on SiriusXM in 2008, where he continues to lead the all-sports talk channel. He also appears weekly on ESPN’s First Take and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2023.

A best-selling author and frequent late-night guest, Russo has left an indelible mark on sports media. He and his wife, Jeanne, live in Connecticut with their four children.

The Morning

7:30 - 9:30 am

Trumbull Marriott | 180 Hawley Ln, Trumbull, CT 06611

Calling all sports enthusiasts! Join us at our 20th Annual Celebrity Breakfast.

This year we are proud to welcome back Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo as our Guest Speaker
and to honor our 2025 Sterling Spirit Award Recipient, Bill O'Brien.

Master of Ceremonies, Chelsea Sherrod | Reporter & Host SportsNet New York

Spend the morning celebrating the positive impact of sports for young people, and supporting financial aid to keep all Sterling youth programs accessible. Our goal: that cost is NEVER a barrier to a kid finding their spot on the field.

Please support the Sterling House Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable donation to the event

2025 STERLING SPIRIT AWARD WINNER

BILL O’BRIEN

This award is a tradition given annually at our Celebrity Breakfast fundraiser to recipients who show a strong dedication to the spirit, mission, and values on which we were founded. In our 20th year, we are proud to extend this award to Bill O'Brien.

Over the past four decades, “Mr. Bill” has served Stratford at Sterling House, the Veteran's Museum, and countless other ways, welcoming, coaching, coordinating, and championing tens of thousands of youth athletes and guiding the growth of youth sports in our town. 

Bill's commitment to seeing that every child is welcomed into the huddle, and finds their spot on the field — regardless of their family's financial situation or other circumstances — is the cornerstone of our organization’s mission. His generous spirit, warm demeanor, and natural leadership have inspired so many, and we are honored to recognize him at our 20th Celebrity Breakfast.