FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU Athletics' signature fundraising event again exceeded goals as the 2015 edition of Night at the Nest raised a record $567,000 in net income last month, with all proceeds going directly to support the Eagles' scholarship needs and operating budgets.
 
The 6th-annual gala, presented in part by platinum sponsor Seminole Indian Tribe at the Big Cypress Reservation, far surpassed the goal of $475,000, and is more than $100,000 than the previous record of $465,491 last year. In total, it represents a 92-percent increase in just two years from a then-record $295,000 raised during the 2013 event, and an incredible six-year progression from just $33,000 that was raised in the inaugural 2010 gala.
 
"The 2015 edition of Night at the Nest is another outstanding example of the generosity and tremendous support of FGCU Athletics by the Southwest Florida community," said Graham Diemer, Assistant Athletics Director for Advancement. "I would like to thank our corporate sponsors, especially the Seminole Indian Tribe at the Big Cypress Reservation, all of the attendees and bidders, our coaching staffs, student-athletes, department members and cheerleaders for their very important volunteer roles and our chairman of the event, Bob "Doc" Ryan, for his tireless effort to make this event into a first-class and ultra-successful fundraiser."
 
Approximately 230 marquee live- and silent-auction items accounted for more than 60 percent of the total net revenue as those items generated $344,100. New this year which helped add to the auction revenue was the ability for those not in attendance to bid on auction items remotely, something which nearly 300 people did, resulting in more than $160,000 in silent-auction revenue. The remaining gross revenue – which totaled $620,450 – came from the following areas:
 
Admission Revenue: $81,500 ($77,000 in 2014)
Sponsorship Revenue: $145,750 ($95,000 in 2014)
Donation Revenue: $52,100 ($45,000 in 2014)

Additionally, two full athletic scholarships were donated by the sold-out crowd of 700 in Alico Arena, helping to begin filling a void in a much-needed area as only seven of FGCU's 15 teams are fully-funded at the NCAA maximum allowable level.
 
"Internally, I'd like to recognize Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh for his leadership, The Eagles Club Board of Advisors and chairman Brian Rasnick for continuing to help the event grow by procuring auction items and developing the audience," added Diemer. "And last, but not least, our external affairs staff members of Jeremy Boreland and Allison Bass for their hours of work behind the scenes to organize and deliver such a successful fundraising event."
 
The semi-formal featured a cocktail reception, dinner as well as live and silent auctions. Notable dignitaries in attendance included FGCU President Dr. Wilson Bradshaw and his wife, Jo Anna, and four-time MLB All-Star Chris Sale – the 2010 National Collegiate Pitcher of the Year for FGCU. NBC-2 news anchor Kellie Burns served as the emcee for a fourth-consecutive year, with Jay Severson as the auctioneer for the second year.
 
"We are obviously thrilled with the overall net results from this wonderful evening. In turn, it continues as one of the signature highlights of our Green and Blue year from both cultivating friends and extremely important additional external resources standpoints," stated Kavanagh. "For this tremendous new high watermark to have occurred, we are so thankful for the outstanding leadership provided by our phenomenal chair Doc Ryan and so many others who collectively combined for such an awesome outcome. We certainly also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the numerous item donors and bidders whose contributions are the backbone of all our efforts." 
 
Night at the Nest has grown each year from 300 attendees in its inaugural 2010 showing to 680 in 2013 before being sold out well in advance each of the past two years. Due primarily to the generosity of companies and individuals from Southwest Florida, fundraising has grown exponentially each year. The evening is a celebration of all the accomplishments of FGCU Athletics' student-athletes and coaches, who have combined to win an incredible 48 conference regular season and tournament titles in just eight-plus full seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just their fifth season of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had 21 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships.
 
"The successful event that we had this year would not have been made possible without the generosity of the local community. It has been exciting to see the non-FGCU alumni "adopt" the Eagles as their team," commented Ryan, newly appointed as the Assistant to the AD for Special Events. "The profits from this year's event will again reward several student-athletes with a scholarship that had not been available before. Our ultimate goal is for each of our teams to have the funding available for the maximum number of scholarships that the NCAA allows."
 
The 2016 Night at the Nest at Alico Arena is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2. For additional information, log on toFGCUAthletics.com/NAN.
 
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SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.