The sixth annual Night at the Nest gala on Dec. 4 is sold out, but FGCU fans who don’t have tickets will still be able to take part in some of the fun happening at Alico Arena.
For the first time, remote bidding on auction items will be possible. Participants who plan to bid offsite must register with Assistant Director of Development/Eagles Club Coordinator Allison Bass to receive a mobile bidding number; call her at 239-590-7107 or email [email protected]. Instructions on how to bid are also here.
Several new auction items have been added this year, including a trip for four on a private plane to the Masters, a weeklong stay in a luxurious 16-person Jamaican beach house, a 2016 Cadillac SRX Crossover and a four-person private helicopter excursion to Key West. A complete list of live auction items is here; silent auction items are here.
Night at the Nest is an opportunity to show appreciation to Eagles’ donors as well as to raise funds for the Athletics Department. A record $465,491 was raised for scholarships and operating budgets at last year’s event.
“We’re excited and determined to make this year’s Night at the Nest our best yet, and we’ve included some new auction items to help make that happen,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement Graham Diemer. “The outpouring of support from local community members and organizations has been a key factor in the growing success of the gala and consequently in the success of Athletics Advancement overall.”
FGCU coaches and staff will attend the event, and student-athletes will act as servers. NBC2 news anchor Kellie Burns will serve as the emcee for a fourth consecutive year, with Jay Severson acting as auctioneer. This year’s platinum sponsor is the Seminole Tribe of Big Cypress. Dr. Robert Ryan, Jr. of Bonita Bay is serving as the Event Chairman and Auction Coordinator. The Board of Advisors for the Eagles Club, the official booster organization of FGCU Athletics, in addition to FGCU administrators, sport programs, coaches and student-athletes all play an integral role in organizing and promoting the fundraiser.