DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle Athletics Department is celebrating the success of the 2023 Blue & Gold Gala. The 18th edition of the fundraising event was held at the ICI Center and raised over $210,000 to support Embry-Riddle's 20 sports programs and student-athlete scholarships.
"The 2023 Blue & Gold Gala was a great night for the University and our Athletic program" ERAU Director of Athletics John Phillips stated. "The continued support from the community, our alumni and our corporate partners is nothing short of amazing. Events like this are just another example of what makes our program so special."
For the 18th straight year, Daytona Mitsubishi and Daytona Kia, owned by ERAU alumnus Richard Nisbett, was the presenting sponsor, while Sodexo, Embry-Riddle's dining services provider, was also a key sponsor, providing dinner for the evening.
Guests at the event had the opportunity to interact with current and former student-athletes and were able to participate in the live and silent auctions. The 12 members of the Blue & Gold Gala Committee helped secure the more than 200 items featured in the auctions. The items were donated by Daytona Beach area businesses and friends of the University, as well as faculty, staff and on-campus organizations.
Among the highest bids in the silent auction were a custom driveway coating that went for $1,700 and a Kansas City Chiefs jersey signed by Patrick Mahomes, which went for $1,500.
The 2023 Gala featured the return of the live auction after a one-year hiatus and Bobby Thigpen assumed the bid-calling duties. The most popular of the four live auction items was a one-hour motivational speaking engagement by Embry-Riddle Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Ridder that fetched $10,000. A week at a North Carolina mountain home went for $8,000, while a bourbon and dining experience for 10 people donated by The Rose Villa went for $4,800.
Corporate and individual sponsorships also contributed to the event's success. In addition to Daytona Mitsubishi/Kia's presenting sponsorship, there were six sponsors at the Tier 1 Level of $5,000, including Sodexo, Assured Partners, Foundation Risk Partners, ICI Homes, Joseph Martin and Pepsi. There were also 17 sponsors at the Tier 2 Level ($2,500) and 29 at the Tier 3 Level ($1,500).
"I would be remiss if I didn't thank our staff that were involved in planning and executing the event, along with our Gala committee members who worked behind the scenes to promote the event and gather silent auction items," Phillips added. "This was truly a team effort and a resounding success!"
Phillips also announced that the 2024 Blue & Gold Gala will take place on April 19.
