FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In a testament to the support from FGCU Athletics' alumni, donors, friends, and sponsors, the 12th annual Night at the Nest, the department's premiere fundraising event, continued to produce amazing support and the final tabulation is $688,000 in net revenue. All net proceeds directly support Eagles' scholarship needs.
 
The gala, which was delayed due to Hurricane Ian, was held on Sunday, Feb. 19. It sold out for the sixth consecutive year, not counting when the event was forced to be held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event expects to move back to its traditional time slot this year, and is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2023.
 
"This was our finest Night at the Nest and we are so thankful for the incredible 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, auction item donors, bidders and volunteers is nothing short of amazing, especially with the extenuating circumstances forced by the storm in late September. The success of Night at the Nest continues to have a huge positive effect on the opportunities and experiences we are able to provide our tremendous student-athletes."
 
The total revenue raised for this year's Night at the Nest almost equaled FGCU's previous record established in 2021 of $716,000. Since the inaugural event, held in 2010, and due primarily to the generosity of companies and individuals from Southwest Florida, the Night at the Nest has now generated $5.9 million in total net revenue.
 
Approximately 260 marquee live and silent auction items accounted for nearly $495,000, bolstered by online bidding available for those not in attendance. In addition to the auction items, the event generated $160,000 in donations, $77,000 in admission revenue and $102,000 in sponsorship revenue.
 
"Our success was once again greatly enhanced by our chairman, Dr. Bob 'Doc' Ryan, and the Eagles Club Board of Advisors," Diemer said. "We are able to continually raise the bar because of the collective continued commitment to make this a first-class and successful fundraiser."
 
Night at the Nest has grown each year from 300 attendees in that inaugural 2010 gala to its 800-person capacity since 2018.
 
"We are very appreciative of the remarkable leadership provided by Doc Ryan, Graham Diemer, Jeremy Boreland, Matt Ring and Madison Lord, 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. "It was truly a wonderful evening for all who celebrate the Green & Blue. Especially amidst the still lingering significant effects of Hurricane Ian, 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, promoting and contributing to the overall operation.
 
"This is always a very special event and the circumstances surrounding this year's version certainly provided additional challenges. The results continue to prove how truly generous our local community is, as they continue to support FGCU Athletics," said Dr. Ryan. "It is fantastic to witness those friends and family members from Southwest Florida, who have adopted FGCU as their own, making such impactful contributions. 100% of the proceeds reward our student-athletes and help provide 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 this December 1."
 
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 (https://www.fgcu.edu/adminservices/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 https://www.fgcu.edu/adminservices/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.  
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 96 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 15-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just 11-plus seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 48 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. In 2022, the men's golf team became the first program to earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Nine FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 20 in 2021-22 and No. 22 in 2022-23), baseball (No. 16 in 2023), beach volleyball (No. 20 in 2022), and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as five of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green & 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 3.67 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2022 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 27 consecutive semesters. The past seven semesters (Fall 2019 – Fall 2022) saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher cumulative team GPA. 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.
 
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