http://txstatebobcatclub.com/news/2015/4...ath=events

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Bobcat Club, Texas State Athletics' fundraising arm, broke an all-time fundraising record at the 27th annual Bobcat Bonanza presented by Pioneer Bank on April 18th, 2015 with $505,510 raised for student-athlete scholarships.

The total marks an increase of $104,510 from last year's proceeds and the sixth consecutive year the annual fundraiser has eclipsed the previous year's record. Since 2009, proceeds from Bobcat Bonanza have risen from $28,000 to over half a million dollars raised.

This year's Bobcat Bonanza began with a golf tournament at Plum Creek in Kyle, Texas – home course of Texas State Men's and Women's Golf teams. Fifteen teams participated. Following the golf tournament, a benefit dinner was held at Bobcat Stadium with silent & live auctions, live entertainment from William Close & the Earth Harp Collective, appearances by celebrity emcee and former Miss Texas USA Holly Mills-Gardner and auctioneering services provided by Heath Hale Auctioneers.

"It is the type of evening that makes you proud to be a part of this athletic department," said Athletic Director Dr. Larry Teis. "This has become a marquee event – the type that people come back to campus for and the type that our alumni and fans can look to and say 'that's a sign of the future of Texas State Athletics.'"

The evening culminated with a live auction featuring destinations from around the world and other exclusive items donated by several Texas State donors. In total, the live auction alone brought in a record $277,000.

The $505,510 raised accounts for 7 percent of the annual $6.5 million scholarship cost that the athletic department will spend in 2015.

Does anyone else have a variation of Bobcat Bonanza at their school? Like to hear a little about other universities and what they do.

We have similar events at UL, but just not on the same day. We have an annual fundraising banquet and a few golf tourneys. I know of 2 golf tourney's here in the Lafayette area and one in Houston. The Houston event rotates year to year what sport they give money to.

NMSU does similar events but not on the same day. NMSU does 2 dinners with auctions in the spring. One in Las Cruces and one in Albuquerque. We have fundraising golf tournaments through out the year in LC and ABQ. All the money raised goes to scholarships.

Our new AD has started a Caravan (NMSU use to do this, but it died under the former AD), where he and coach's go to cities/towns around NM to visit with fans and supporters of NMSU. I would expect the Caravan stops to turn into more fundraising events in the future.

At tonight's event to raise money for athletics, NMSU received a donation to upgrade the locker rooms.

That's awesome congrats!

Our new AD is doing an outstanding job. He came on the job January 5th. At the end of February Baseball broke its single game attendance record. A week later MBB had its first sold out game in 8 years (it was against the worst team in the WAC). He has helped secure $1.5million dollars in a donation for sky box improvements and unspecified amount for locker room improvements for football. Has put our media rights out for bid (media rights have been kept in house) and uniform contract out for bid (contract has stayed the same for over a decade). He wants to sell out our home football game against Georgia State.

Some things I have mentioned may seem trivial, but NMSU is now more proactive then it has been in the past. It also helps that he is an Alumnus of NMSU. Things are looking up at NMSU.

(05-03-2015 04:35 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Our new AD is doing an outstanding job. He came on the job January 5th. At the end of February Baseball broke its single game attendance record. A week later MBB had its first sold out game in 8 years (it was against the worst team in the WAC). He has helped secure $1.5million dollars in a donation for sky box improvements and unspecified amount for locker room improvements for football. Has put our media rights out for bid (media rights have been kept in house) and uniform contract out for bid (contract has stayed the same for over a decade). He wants to sell out our home football game against Georgia State.

Some things I have mentioned may seem trivial, but NMSU is now more proactive then it has been in the past. It also helps that he is an Alumnus of NMSU. Things are looking up at NMSU.

All good to hear, very happy for y'all, now let's get an All Sports invite to the Belt ...

Here is a press releases on the donation for the locker room upgrades. Still do not know how much it will cost.

Link