FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU Athletics' signature fundraising event again exceeded goals as the 2016 edition of Night at the Nest raised a record $577,000 in net income last month, with all proceeds going directly to support the Eagles' scholarship needs and operating budgets.
 
The 7th-annual gala – presented in part by platinum sponsor Seminole Tribe-Brighton Reservation – eclipsed more than half-a-million dollars for the second-straight year. It is $10,000 better than the previous record of $567,000 set last year, and more than $110,000 than the $465,000 raised in 2014.
 
In total, it represents a 95-percent increase in just three years from a then-record $295,000 generated during the 2013 event, and an incredible seven-year progression from just $33,000 that was produced in the inaugural 2010 gala.
 
"The 2016 Night at the Nest was 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 Tribe-Brighton Reservation, all of the attendees and bidders, coaches, student-athletes, staff and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to continue to improve the gala each year. I'd also like to make special mention of our chairman, Bob "Doc" Ryan, for his tireless efforts to make this event into a first-class and ultra-successful fundraiser."
 
Approximately 230 marquee live- and silent-auction items accounted for nearly 55 percent of the total gross revenue as those items generated a record $357,000 ($344,000 in 2015). For the second-straight year, those not in attendance had an opportunity to bid on auction items remotely, which helped add to the silent-auction revenue that grossed $184,500. Live-auction revenue grossed $172,500. The remaining gross revenue – which totaled a record $656,500 – came from the following areas:

Sponsorship Revenue: $143,000 ($142,500 in 2015; $95,000 in 2014)
Admission Revenue: $95,000 ($81,500 in 2015; $77,000 in 2014)
Donation Revenue: $61,400 ($52,100 in 2015; $45,000 in 2014)
 
A large piece of the admission revenue came from the Bonita Bay neighborhood, as residents of that community filled 12 tables of 10 seats each. Members of the Shadow Wood Preserve had four tables, while those in The Renaissance accounted for three tables as continued support from the Southwest Florida community has helped expand Night at the Nest to unforeseen levels.
 
The semi-formal event featured a cocktail reception, dinner and live and silent auctions. Notable dignitaries in attendance included FGCU President Dr. Wilson Bradshaw, and five-time MLB All-Star and current Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale – the 2010 National Player of the Year for FGCU. NBC-2 news anchor Kellie Burns served as the emcee for a fifth-consecutive year, with Jay Severson as the auctioneer for the third 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 Director of Athletics Ken 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 three years. Due primarily to the generosity of companies and individuals from Southwest Florida, fundraising has grown exponentially each year to help support each of FGCU's 15 Division-I teams.
 
"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, who serves in the chief volunteer role of 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 evening is also a celebration of all the accomplishments of FGCU Athletics' student-athletes and coaches. FGCU has won a combined 56 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 9+ D-I seasons as a member of the ASUN Conference and Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (women's swimming & diving). Furthermore, in only 5+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, FGCU has sent 16 teams to the NCAA Tournament, while men's golf, swimming and diving and men's tennis have had an individual(s) participate in their respective NCAA Championship, bringing the total NCAA appearances for FGCU to 25.
 
Night at the Nest VIII is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in Alico Arena. For additional information, log on to FGCUAthletics.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.