FORT MYERS, Fla. – In a testament to the support from FGCU Athletics' alumni, donors, friends, and sponsors, the 10^th annual Night at the Nest, the department's premiere fundraising event, set a new record of $675,000 in net revenue which directly supports Eagles' scholarship needs.
 
The gala, which was held on Dec. 6, was presented by the Brighton Reservation of the Seminole Tribe and sold out for the fourth consecutive year.
 
"The event was our best Night at the Nest since its inception and we are so thankful for the tremendous support of FGCU Athletics by the Southwest Florida community," Associate Athletics Director for Advancement Graham Diemer said. "The impact made by our corporate sponsors, attendees and bidders, coaches, student-athletes, staff and volunteers has a long-term positive effect on the opportunities and experiences we are able to provide our tremendous programs and student-athletes."
 
In addition to the festivities surrounding Night at the Nest, FGCU was also able to celebrate the kick-off of its EAGLE (Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence) Campaign with a $1 million lead gift presented by former baseball National Collegiate Player of the Year (2010) and Boston Red Sox World Series Champion/7-time All Star Chris Sale and his wife Brianne Sale '16.  The donation was the largest ever by both a former Eagle student-athlete and FGCU undergraduate alum.
 
The EAGLE Campaign is a $10 million fundraising campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, and nutrition. It will also address departmental needs in facility expansion and upgrades, as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff.
 
The total revenue raised for this year's Night at the Nest surpassed last year's previous record of $601,000. In each of the past five years, Night at the Nest has generated more than half-a-million dollars for FGCU student-athlete scholarships. Due primarily to the generosity of companies and individuals from Southwest Florida, a total of nearly $4 million has been raised since the events inception in 2010.
 
Approximately 300 marquee live and silent auction items accounted for nearly $450,000 bolstered by online bidding available for those not in attendance.
 
In addition to the auction items, the event generated $81,250 in donations, $92,400 in admission revenue and $123,000 in sponsorship revenue.
 
"Our success was greatly enhanced by our chairman, Dr. Bob 'Doc' Ryan, and the Eagles Club Board of Advisors," said Diemer. "We are able to continually raise the bar on this event because of the collective commitment to make this a first-class and successful fundraiser."
 
Night at the Nest has grown each year from 300 attendees in its inaugural 2010 showing to 680 in 2013 and has been at its 800-person capacity each of the past three years.
 
"We are very appreciative of the continued tremendous leadership provided by Doc Ryan, Graham Diemer and Matt Ring, coupled with everyone internally and externally who was involved with making Night at the Nest another phenomenal success from both friend and fundraising standpoints," said Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. "On top of the record amount of resources generated, it was really special to kick-off the EAGLE Campaign with the announcement of the historic Sale Family Gift. Truly it was a wonderful night for all who celebrate the Green and Blue.  In turn, we are deeply thankful for all of those who have and continue to support us as we daily pursue providing an enhanced experience for our student-athletes."
 
Dr. Ryan, of Bonita Bay, who is the Assistant to the AD for Special Events, was again the Night at the Nest Chairman. The Eagles Club Board of Advisors, the official booster club organization of FGCU Athletics, in addition to FGCU administrators, staff, coaches and student-athletes all play an integral role in organizing and promoting the evening.
 
"This is always a very special event and it is amazing to see how it has grown over the years thanks to truly generous local community that has embraced FGCU," said Dr. Ryan. "It is truly fantastic to witness those friends and family members from Southwest Florida, who have adopted FGCU as their own, making such impactful contributions. Every year those profits are used to reward student-athletes with scholarships and that is a lifetime impact for those individuals. I thank everyone who took part in the event and look forward to another successful Night at the Nest in come next December."
 
Additionally, Lois Thome – one of Southwest Florida's most well-known media personalities as the co-anchor of WINK News' 5, 6 and 7 p.m. broadcasts – once again served in terrific fashion as the emcee, as did longtime local celebrity Jay Severson as the record breaking auctioneer.
 
For complete coverage of FGCU athletics, follow the Eagles on Twitter (@FGCUEagles), Instagram (@FGCUAthletics) and Facebook (@FGCUAthletics) and online at www.FGCUAthletics.com. You can also sign-up to have news on FGCU athletics and all 15 sport programs delivered directly to your inbox by visiting www.fgcuathletics.com/email.
 

E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April 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.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just eight-plus seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including women's basketball (2019-20) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty-one consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

 
--FGCUATHLETICS.COM--