Friday Night Fundraiser Memorializes Kendall Madison

The community will once again remember Kendall Madison, who died 17 years ago, with a fundraiser on Friday night to raise money for scholarships in his memory.

Madison, a star student-athlete at and then at the University of Connecticut, died on Jan. 14, 1995, nine days after he was stabbed in the parking lot of the former Kristie's nightclub in East Hampton. He died from a blood clot just as he was set to be released from . 

The will be held at the in Amagansett from 8 to 11 p.m. Madison's mother Sharon Ann Bacon, the foundation's chairperson, said it is a way to keep her son's memory alive, while also giving back to the community.

Money raised will go toward scholarships. The scholarship awards $4,000 -- $1,000 per year -- to a male and female student-athlete enrolled in college. Bridgehampton and student-athletes are also eligible as long as they played on a joint sports team with East Hampton, Bacon said.

Madison, who was 21 when he died, excelled at football, basketball and track in high school, and played football for UConn.

Admission is $20. Tickets to a 50/50 raffle will be available at the door, as well.

Since it began in 1997, over $50,000 has been given out. For example, it has helped to finance a high school trip to Japan and funded the Kendall Madison Playaz AAU team.

Friday evening's benefit will also celebrate the , the foundation's secretary who is stepping down from his position as principal of the earlier on Friday. In fact, the party has promised an encore of Tracey's rendition of "Short People/Tall People" with fellow board member Leon Parks.