ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP AUCTION PLANNED FOR AUG. 2

Contact: Justin Tinder, SWOSU Sports Information Director, 580-774-7162

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Supporters of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University athletic program will get a first-hand opportunity to provide relief to the growing athletic scholarship costs by participating in a special Hawaiian Luau Dinner and Auction this summer.

The event, co-sponsored by the SWOSU Athletic Association and the SWOSU Foundation, is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the newly remodeled Memorial Student Union Ballroom. The event is designed to raise additional money for the funding of athletic scholarships for many of the 12 sports programs SWOSU currently sponsors. Last year the auction raised more than $40,000 for student-athlete scholarships.

Single dinner/auction tickets are $40 and eight-seat table can be reserved for $400. Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased by calling the SWOSU Athletics Office at 580-774-3068.
Some of the items that participants can bid on are as follows”

· Private fishing trip with ESPN sportsman Jimmy Houston
· Brett Favre autographed football
· Johnny Bench autographed baseball and framed jersey
· Trips to Las Vegas and other destinations
· Several tickets for concerts, professional sporting events
· Green fees at multiple golf courses around the state.
· NASCAR memorabilia

The purpose of the SWOSU Athletic Association is to supplement the Athletic Department’s budget in order to be competitive in the prestigious NCAA Division II and Lone Star Conference. The top priorities are recruiting and scholarships. The funds will be used to attract talented athletes to campus and supplement the department’s scholarship fund.

SWOSU places high standards on its student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators in order to excel academically and athletically.