The 2008 Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands Celebrity Golf Classic, previously scheduled for June, has been canceled. The FUVI Celebrity Golf Classic is a four-day event that brings national celebrities to the Virgin Islands in support of the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands. Held for the past three years, this successful fundraiser has become the University's signature summer event on St. Croix.

The decrease in the number of flights traveling to and from the Caribbean, high fuel costs and the overall downslide in the U.S. economy and airline industry are some of the factors that contributed to the canceling of this year's tournament.

"Unfortunately, because of circumstances beyond our control, we could not host the Golf Classic this year without jeopardizing the integrity and successful brand that the event has established over the last three years," said UVI's Vice President for Institutional Advancement Joseph Boschulte. Limited airlift to the territory presented the biggest challenge, he said. "We could not get the celebrities who play the tournament and participate in the sports clinics into the territory for the event." Boschulte said he is optimistic about the future of the economy and the University's ability to host another great Celebrity Golf Classic in 2009.

More than two dozen celebrities -- including actress Regina King, fitness guru Donna Richardson-Joyner and NBA player Kurt Thomas -- participated in last year's event. Tournament play was held at the Carambola Golf Course and Club House with additional activities at the Buccaneer Hotel and the UVI campus.

The event included tournament play, and sports clinics featuring basketball, golf and football. At the free clinics, professional athletes from the NFL, NBA and PGA gave St. Croix youngsters, from 9 to15 years of age, basic tips and training in football, basketball and golf.

For more information or to become a sponsor of the 2009 FUVI Celebrity Golf Classic call 693-1040.