The BYU Athletic Department will look to raise money through a dinner and auction the BYU Cougar Club is putting on tonight, June 8.
“This is the first year we’ve done this,” said Robbie Bosco, with athletic development for men’s athletics. “We are new at this, but expect it to run smoothly.”
The silent auction starts at 6 p.m. at the Indoor Practice Facility on campus, and the dinner and live auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Cost for the event is $25, and reservations for the event can be made by calling the Cougar Club at 422-2583.
Local professionals, including real estate managers, lawyers and bankers, will play in a golf tournament in Prak City on Wednesday. These are members of the community who want to show their support to the BYU Athletic Department. A separate fee was associated with those playing in the golf tournament.
“Most people like to golf, and it’s a good way to meet new people associated with the athletic program,” Bosco said.
Various sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting venues and autographed sports balls will be in the auction. Bosco said he thinks the biggest item that will get the most money off of it at the event will be a trip for four to fly on a private jet to hunt with Ty Detmer on his Texas ranch, with all the accommodations.
“The money will go into a general athletic fund that will contribute to all 21 teams,” Bosco said. “Instead of pointing to one team, we decided to broaden it. We expect the most money to come from the live auction.”
Faces in the crowd at the auction will include legendary football coach LaVell Edwards, basketball coach Steve Cleveland, football coach Gary Crowton, former Cougar and MLB player Cory Snyder, Outland Trophy winner Jason Buck and PGA member Mike Reid. Bosco said they are expecting 250 to 300 people the dinner/auction.
A list of all items available for the silent and live auctions can be found at www.cougarclub.com.
PROVO ANGELS
Thirty-eight local little league teams will once again get to experience the thrill of taking the field with professional baseball players this season as part of the Provo Angels’ “Field of Dreams” program.
The program, which aims to connect the community with the minor league baseball team, began during the Angels’ inaugural season in 2001 and has been sponsored by Zions First National Bank every year since its inception.
“The big thing is they [little leaguers] get to run out and be part of the pre-game festivities with professional ball players,” said Zachary Fraser, media relations officer for the Angels.
Prior to the start of each one of the Angels’ 38 home games this season, players on local little league, t-ball and softball teams will get to run onto the field and take their designated position along with an Angels player who also plays the same position. The players will then hear their team name and league announced over the public address system, have their pictures taken and will remain on the field for the national anthem.
Teams from all over Utah County apply for the program through Provo Angels’ organization, then chosen at random to participate. Fraser said that programs similar to “Field of Dreams” are common throughout minor league baseball as teams strive to build a strong local fan base.
Thone Heppler, president of the Zions Bank Central Utah Region, said in a news release the company is happy to support events that unite them with their customers.
“Baseball is a great part of our culture,” Heppler said. “We are proud to provide to our future ballplayers the chance to join their heroes on the field prior to the game.”
David Purington, 42, a small business owner and little league coach in Spanish Fork, took his team to participate in the program while it was still in its infant stage in 2001. Purington said his 11 to 12-year-old players were thrilled with the experience.
“I think all of them felt like it was a big deal,” Purington said. “These young kids, going out there with these players and having their name called out in a professional league-you almost can’t even talk about it because of how cool it was.”
