SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- The Drury University Athletics Department completed its 19th Annual Fundraising Auction presented by the Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute on Oct. 24, and even though the event moved online due to concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, it once again proved to be a successful endeavor.
 
The auction's final night concluded an unprecedented 11-day fundraising campaign that also included the Drury Athletics Champions Challenge, a matching gift crowdfunding campaign that ran from Oct. 14-21. The auction started with online bidding on Oct. 17, and when it concluded on the night of Oct. 24, more than $189,000 had been raised through both campaigns for the Drury Athletics Department. 
 
"It was a tremendous thrill to see those that support and love Drury University and our student-athletes respond the way they did in the last week and a half," said Drury Vice President and Director of Athletics Corey Bray. "We're in a challenging time for everyone, so to see this type of response is extremely gratifying. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to conduct the auction in a completely new way, and to have it come off as successfully as it did, is also a testament to the dedication of Drury fans and donors."
 
The online auction had more than 800 bidders from 29 states and six countries competing for hundreds of items ranging from vacation home rentals, rounds of golf, home goods, and one-of-a-kind collectibles.
 
"There are a lot of people to thank when an event like this is successful," added Bray. "Paige Grisham from our athletics department spent countless hours coordinating all aspects of the auction and continues to work tirelessly to follow-up with winning bidders. Kirk Elmquist provided great assistance to us once again with his part in our video, highlighting our premium auction items and the Great Southern Bank Cash Bash winners.
 
"We also had several sponsors help make this event happen – the Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute, Great Southern Bank, Bobby Allison, Bill Pitt, and several restaurant and beverage partners. We also greatly appreciate those who donated items to the auction, and of course, to all those that bid on items to support our student-athletes." 
 
Proceeds generated from both the Drury Athletics Auction and the Athletics Champions Challenge go toward helping Drury Athletics pay for essential expenses in the areas of team travel, equipment, apparel, and recruiting the next class of outstanding Drury student-athletes.
 
Drury University supports 22 NCAA programs and six non-NCAA sports. The Panthers have won 36 national championships, more than any four-year institution in Missouri. 
 
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