MONMOUTH, Ore. --- It was a generous and entertaining Saturday evening at New PE Gym as 300-plus Western Oregon Athletics fans and supporters raised nearly $150,000 at the 37^th Annual Wolves Athletic Auction.
 
The $146,503 raised is an 85 percent increase from the previous year in WOU Athletics' largest fundraiser of the year.
 
"We are incredibly thankful for our wonderful Wolves supporters who participated in our online and live Wolves Athletic Auction this year," WOU Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randi Lydum said. "Our staff and student-athletes are so appreciative to our generous donors, who through their support, help provide program enhancements and athletic scholarships. A special thanks to our Wolves Auction planning committee and to our student-athlete speakers Hannah Rispler, Derek Maiben and Jacob Maiben for making the evening so special."
 
The money raised supports a WOU Athletic Department that finished second in the 2022-23 GNAC All-Sports Championships, which determines the top overall programs in the conference based on its finish in each conference sport and the number of GNAC sports sponsored by that institution.
 
The auction consisted of two participation options – an online auction and a live auction. The online auction provided Wolves fans from across the country the opportunity to support WOU student-athletes. Highlighted items included a two-night stay at Andante Vineyards in their exclusive clubhouse and field box tickets to the Hillsboro Hops minor league baseball team.
 
Individuals who attended the live auction were treated to a night full of laughter and camaraderie. Attendees were entertained by several student-athletes – led by event emcee Hannah Rispler – the 2022 Women's Soccer GNAC Defensive Player of the Year – along with a live interview with 2023 Baseball GNAC Player of the Year Derek Maiben and 2023 GNAC All-Conference First Team member Jacob Maiben.
 
The WOU Athletic Department and Foundation thanks all who supported the Wolves student-athletes through the 37^th Annual Wolves Athletic Auction – with a special thank you to the presenting sponsor, Oregon State Credit Union.
 

A huge THANK YOU to all the WOU supporters who came out tonight and participated in the 2023 Athletic Auction and helped raise - well, we will just say a lot of money as we add it all up! pic.twitter.com/eHri9CCtrU

— Western Oregon Wolves Athletics (@WOU_Wolves) June 4, 2023