Wingate Date Auction Raises over $2,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation

WINGATE, N.C. - The Wingate University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Date Auction raised more than $2000 for the NCAA Division II philanthropy Make-A-Wish Thursday night in Austin Auditorium. The SAAC auctioned dates with student-athletes from various teams, as well as dates with selected WU Greek organization members. The Wingate SAAC Date Auction originated in 2007.

Dates with 36 WU student-athletes and Greek members were auctioned. The students with the highest bids won a dinner date with their student-athlete or Greek between the men's and women's basketball games versus Newberry on Feb. 13. Wingate associate athletic director for internal operations Michelle Caddigan, assistant volleyball coach Maggie Malone and assistant to the athletics director for Marketing and Promotions Courtney Callahan are the advisors for the Wingate SAAC.

"This year's SAAC is a very active and productive group," Caddigan says. "Wingate student-athletes care deeply about Make-A-Wish, which was evident Thursday night! I'm proud of their efforts and giving spirit."

"I am extremely proud of this year's SAAC and their commitment to raise money for Make-A-Wish," Malone says. "This group has been extremely motivated to be the best in the SAC; it has been an easy job to be an adviser to them."

Malone's experiences as a WU student-athlete (class of 2012) and coach give her a unique perspective. "I cannot express how excited I am the date auction was an extreme success," Malone says. "Every SAAC member worked very hard at making this event the best it could be. I am very thankful for the generous students who came out to the date auction to support Make-A-Wish; without them, this event could not have happened."

- Wingate media relations