Randy Foye, Chairman and CEO
Randy was born and raised in Newark, NJ, and takes great pride in his community. His accomplishments both on and off the basketball court serve as an example to people of all ages of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.
Foye’s story is one of tragedy and triumph that most could not begin to fathom. Tragically, he lost both of his parents before he finished kindergarten. Foye has taken every experience, good or bad, and channeled it into the positive energy that fuels his desire to stay hungry and humble. He is thankful for the support of his family and mentors in the Newark community who helped guide him on a safe journey through the streets and into the sheltering arms of the Villanova community.
Foye spent his years in the Newark public school system, where his basketball career flourished at East Side High School under the direction of head coach Bryant Garvin. Foye led his team to become New Jersey state champions in his senior year, and was named Player of the Year by various New Jersey media outlets. His talent level and positive attitude earned him much national recognition, and he accepted a full scholarship to attend Villanova University.
Foye was a four-year starter for Villanova teams that saw post-season action each year. In 2005, the Wildcats reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to eventual national champion North Carolina. In 2006 they advanced to the Elite Eight after earning the first #1 seed in school history. Foye was named MVP of the Minneapolis Regional after the Wildcats lost to eventual national champion Florida.
As his collegiate career came to a close, Foye was honored with numerous accolades including: Big East Player of the Year, Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year, Associated Press 1st Team All-America, United States Basketball Writers’ Association 1st Team All-America, 1st Team All-Big East Conference, Villanova Basketball Most Outstanding Player Award and was a finalist for the John Wooden Award and the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award.
In 2006, Foye graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in geography and minor in sociology. He credits Villanova’s coaching staff, support staff, and professors for allowing him the guidance and support needed to become a successful student-athlete. He is a lifelong member of the Villanova Basketball family and the Nova Nation.
That June, Foye was selected as the #7 overall pick in the NBA Draft. He just completed his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his first season, he was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Randy takes pride in surrounding himself with good people, and taking a little bit of his history with him everywhere he goes. Instead of dwelling on his misfortunes or asking for sympathy, Foye readily shares his story with anyone who can draw inspiration from the path he took, and hopes that his charitable foundation will inspire the people of Newark with hope and a positive attitude. Randy recently became a father for the first time, welcoming Paige Christine Foye into the game on January 21st, 2008. They reside in Middletown, NJ in the off-season.
Chris Champeau, President
Chris grew up in Rocky River, Ohio just outside of Cleveland. After graduating from St. Bonaventure University he began a twenty-year career on Wall Street in 1985 starting out as a bond analyst eventually becoming a partner in a private equity firm in 1997. He currently owns his own business consulting firm, Team Shempster Global, with offices in Rumson, NJ and New York City.
Over his career Champeau has been instrumental in many charitable causes, most notably Coaches vs. Cancer, the New York City Firefighters and Police Charities, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Jason’s Dreams for Kids. He has also been involved in the movie industry as both a producer and an actor, most recently serving as executive producer on Billy Raftery, Jr.’s moving documentary about drug addicted orphans in the streets of South Africa called “Children Rise.”
He also shares Randy’s love of basketball, although all hoop comparisons end right there despite his self-proclaimed “still-killer game.” Champeau loves working with kids and helping them learn about life through hard work and maintaining a positive attitude. He recently served as an assistant coach under Villanova legend Rollie Massimino at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida. More recently he became the head coach at Rumson Country Day School ad helped lead the Gators to their first prep school championship in years.
Chris has been working directly with Foye since the inception of The Randy Foye Foundation and shares Randy’s passion and vision for what it can accomplish. He currently resides in Rumson with his wife Shelly, their two daughters Ryan and Kelsey, and their six dogs. Yes, six!
Christina Vuocolo, Vice President
Christina is a 2005 graduate of Villanova University, where she studied marketing and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the university's nationally ranked School of Business. She was a volunteer member of the men's basketball program for four years, performing in a variety of administrative capacities on a daily basis.
Vuocolo joined head coach Jay Wright's staff full-time upon graduation, where she worked from June 2005 – September 2007 before teaming up with Foye and Champeau. She was involved in various aspects of the program, and also helped run the Villanova Basketball Camp. While at Villanova, Christina had the opportunity to be part of the Philly Six Coaches vs. Cancer chapter steering committee, and served for three years on the planning committee for its annual black tie gala.
The Point Pleasant Beach, NJ native has kept strong ties to the North Jersey area where many of her relatives were born and raised, worked and served their community since her great-grandfather settled in Jersey City after arriving at Ellis Island from Italy in 1905. She has attended various leadership conferences over the past decade and has received numerous awards for her character and work ethic, including the West Point Society of New Jersey's Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award. She is excited to help make the dreams of The Randy Foye Foundation a reality.
