MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois University Athletics will host its largest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, August 11, inside Western Hall. The 29th Annual Purple & Gold Auction will feature a social, silent auction, two cash raffles, dinner, a program that includes two outstanding student-athlete speakers, and a live auction.
Several marquee items are on the auction block this year, including:
- Two (2) one-week stays in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- A Minnesota Vikings’ helmet signed by Leatherneck great Brett Taylor
- A framed and autographed Mitch Trubisky Bears’ jersey
- A VIP trip with WIU Football to Illinois
- A pheasant hunt for four (4) at Halter’s Hunt Club in Pleasant Prairie, WI
- Golf for four (4) at TPC Deere Run
- A VIP trip with WIU Women’s Basketball to Las Vegas
- A framed and autographed Dick Butkus Bears’ jersey
- A VIP trip to the Summit League Basketball Tournament March 9-12
- A neon “Western Illinois Leathernecks” sign
- A VIP trip with WIU Men’s Basketball to Nebraska
- A one-week getaway to Frisco, CO
- Tickets to see the Cardinals, Cubs, and Bears
- And much more
The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a social, silent auction, and two cash raffles worth $500 each. A delicious Sodexo dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the silent auction will close at 7:45 p.m. At that time, guests will hear from student-athletes Payton Abbott (Softball) and Samir Almhiemid (Swimming & Diving). Lowderman Auction Company will begin the live auction at 8 p.m.
The cost is $40 per person, and registration is available online at LeatherneckTickets.com (link to LeatherneckTickets.com). Those wishing to register by phone may call (309) 298-1190.
For more information, visit the official Purple & Gold Auction website. All proceeds from the 29th Annual Purple & Gold Auction will enhance the Division I experience of Leatherneck student-athletes.