Edinboro Student-Athlete Auction Raises Over $2,300 for Make-A-Wish Foundation
Story Courtesy of Edinboro Sports Information
Edinboro, Pa. – The Edinboro University Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted the Fourth Annual Student-Athlete Auction last month on April 18. The event featured 27 individuals auctioned off, including Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner. All proceeds raised benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In fact, the evening got underway in front of a packed house at the Pogue Student Center with a brief introduction from Lucas Smith and his family from Erie. Lucas is a former Make-A-Wish recipient, and appeared along with Jan Stork from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Mallory Waldinger and Matt Lynch served as emcees.
The night also featured videos produced by the men’s cross country and softball teams. The yearly production from the cross country team has become a much-anticipated event, and this year’s video was a spoof of the hit movie “The Hunger Games”.
When the bidding got underway, it was hot and heavy, and when the smoke had cleared and the final bid was in, the night had raised $2,314, a new record for the auction. Counting funds raised earlier in the year by the SAAC, the total has now reached $3,201.
Cross country runner Bart Eckel emerged as the most sought-after athlete, as he brought in a bid of $175. Casey Rogozinski, a member of the women’s soccer team, received a final bid of $155, while Samantha Blazetic, a standout at last year’s auction, as well, went for $125. She is a member of the women’s basketball team. Men’s basketball player Guy Rundle went for $100.
While there was no word on what four-time Olympian Baumgartner went for, he was quick to thank the many individuals and business, including Pizza Hut and The Bagel Shop, who donated prizes and other items to make the night a huge success.