Ryan ChartrandThe Cal Poly athletic department held its eighth annual Mustang Madness “Polynesian Nights” event last Saturday in Mott Gym.
Approximately 360 attended the dinner, which raised between $95,000 and $100,000 for the athletic department.
The dinner, catered by Ian McPhee of McPhee’s Grill, and auction both benefit Cal Poly’s student-athletes. The student-athletes served the dinner guests and were a part of organizing the event.
In addition to the live auction, there was also a silent auction with the proceeds from both auctions and the dinner going to the athletic department for student-athlete scholarships and programs.
Items for both auctions included dinners for 12 and barbecues for up to 50 people by Ian McPhee, numerous trips to Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Ireland and Costa Rica, autographed sports memorabilia, a brand new Vespa and the chance to be a fighter pilot for a day.
“It’s one thing to see an athlete on the field or the court, but it’s a different thing to be able to interact with them,” Cal Poly special events coordinator Bill Saylor said. “It allows the supporters of the program to interact with the athletes and the athletes with the supporters.”
Included in the festivities was a performance by Santa Barbara-based Polynesian dance company “Hula Any One?” and 1960s surf band, The Dentures.
The event was sponsored by Vina Robles Winery, Firestone Brewery and Coors/Coors Light.