Oct 14, 202001
We lose Vaughn
ESPN NFL Nation reporter Vaughn McClure dies of cardiac arrest in Atlanta at 48. The shock ripples through the league.
Chicago — Est. 2020In memory of Vaughn McClure & Jeff Dickerson
$125,000+ to health researchHeart$25,000+ in journalism scholarshipsCancerNorthern Illinois UniversityMental healthBuffalo Grove High SchoolJournalismConant High School#TVMJDFoundation
01 — Our mission
Started by Nick Gialamas in 2020 to honor his best friend from college, and expanded in 2021 when we lost our board member, honorary chairman, and fellow ESPN reporter, Jeff Dickerson.
Vaughn and Jeff were more than friends. They were like brothers, and now their names are linked forever. We carry their causes forward by funding research in heart disease, cancer, and mental health, and by opening doors for the next generation of journalists.
Support the mission
Their legacy of empathy, integrity, and unwavering commitment to progress, woven into the next generation.
02 — Their stories
One covered the Falcons in Atlanta, the other the Bears in Chicago. Both made everyone around them better.
03 — Where your gift goes
Every dollar goes to the causes Vaughn and Jeff cared about, chosen because of how we lost them and how they lived.
04 — The scoreboard
Since the first benefit, you showed up.
As reported 2024 · Updated after each benefit
01
Donated to health care research
02
Awarded in journalism scholarships
03
Partner schools funding future reporters
04
Years keeping the flame lit
05 — The story so far
From grief, a fire.
202002
A foundation is born
Nick Gialamas, Vaughn’s best friend since their NIU dorm days, starts The Vaughn McClure Foundation to carry his legacy forward.
Oct 14, 202103
The first benefit
One year to the day, friends, players, and the Chicago media family gather for the first annual benefit and auction.
Dec 202104
We lose JD
Board member, honorary chairman, and ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson dies of colon cancer at 43. Two brothers, linked forever.
2022 – 202405
The benefit grows
Annual benefits through 2024, the 4th at TAO Chicago, push research giving past $125,000 and scholarships past $25,000.
Summer 202606
First golf outing
The inaugural TVMJD golf outing brings the community out on the course, with Chicago’s skyline as the gallery.
Apr 8, 202707
The Grand Illusion Gala
An evening where magic meets meaning at TAO Chicago, and the latest chapter of a story that isn’t finished.
Next chapter: yours.
06 — The next byline
Vaughn opened doors for anyone with a story to tell. Our scholarships do the same for young journalists, with a focus on promoting diversity in the newsroom.
Scholarship partners
- 01Northern Illinois University
- 02Buffalo Grove High School
- 03Conant High School
07 — Coming up
Raise a glass. Raise a paddle.
08 — With gratitude
The partners who carry the torch.
09 — Give
Your gift funds heart, cancer, and mental health research, and the scholarships that launch young journalists. It takes about a minute.