By Harry Minium
When former Old Dominion University basketball coach Sonny Allen died five months ago, the family planned to gather in Norfolk this weekend for a celebration of his life.
Sonny didn't want a funeral, he told his son, Billy Allen. He didn't want people sitting around crying or being sad.
Instead, the family decided to gather, tell funny stories and share treasured memories of Sonny. It would truly be a celebration of a life well lived.
The 50 or so family members wanted to celebrate at ODU, a place their father loved.