Skagit Valley College raises record-high $143,000 to support student-athletes
Skagit Valley College (SVC) hosted its 21st Annual Athletic Auction on Feb. 3 and raised a record-high amount of more than $143,000 in support of student-athletes and the athletics program at SVC.
“Thank you to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Swinomish Casino and Lodge for allowing us to host our 21st Annual Athletic Auction,” said Mitch Freeman, SVC athletics director. “This event was not possible without the partnership of nine regional tribal nations, corporate donors, and the 275-plus community members who faithfully give to SVC Athletics and our student athletes. We sincerely appreciate the generous support of SVC Athletics and Skagit Valley College.”
More than 275 attendees participated in the auction, setting a new record for the event which was held at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge. The auction benefits student scholarships and operational costs for SVC’s nine athletic teams and 185 student-athletes.
Event organizers had hoped to raise at least $130,000 and exceeded the goal. SVC President Dr. Christopher Villa provided a matching donation of $2,500 to help exceed the Fund-the-Need goal of $130,000 to more than $143,000.
Some auction items included: a Kraken hockey fan package and Matty Beniers autographed jersey; Native American art by Tulalip Tribes Artist Michelle Myles and Swinomish Tribes Master Carver, Kevin Paul; Hand-beaded UW and WSU hats by Upper Skagit Tribal artists, Alissa and Kelsey Edge; an MLB experience with Terrace Club tickets to a 2024 Mariners game and Julio Rodriguez autographed jersey; trips to Lake Chelan, Las Vegas, and the Olympic Peninsula; five-course seafood feast and wine pairing in La Conner; an SVC baseball and softball team work party including four hours of work from student-athletes; and a chance to be a brewer for a day with Tony Savoy, who coaches the SVC women’s soccer team and is also the head brewer at Cardinal Craft Brew Academy.
The artistic and financial contributions from nine distinct Tribal Nations for tonight's event include the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribes, Lummi Nation, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe, 12 Tribes-Lake Chelan, Upper Skagit, Yakima Nation, and the Shtax Heen Kwaan of Wrangell, Alaska.
Many local businesses supported the auction. Platinum sponsors included: Baird Private Wealth Management, Stewart Carter Group, Proliance Surgeons, TRICO Companies, Lummi Nation, Tulalip Tribes, and Electric West, Inc. Gold sponsors included: SaviBank and the Jack and Shirley McIntyre Foundation. Silver sponsors included: Banner Bank, Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, WaFd Insurance Group, Copy and Print Store, Big Rock Pickleball, and the 1991 SVC Men’s Soccer Team.
SVC has set the date for the 22nd Annual Athletic Auction in 2025 on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge.