Purple & Gold Auction

WIU0812 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 9:22 am

As most know one of the biggest fundraising events of the year is coming up. http://goleathernecks.com/sports/2014/6 ... 43359.aspx .

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend this year, but that gets me thinking especially because today is ESPN's ESPY day and they are having online auctions to raise money to donate. I was thinking the school should start thinking about doing a similar online auction and get those who are interested, but can not attend into the event. They can have certain items be only part of the live auction where you have to attend in order to bid on and then they could have silent auction items that can be online and at dinner. With the amount of smart phones and technology in this day and age they could have these items displayed at the dinner and people can bid on the items using their phones or maybe have a few tablets or computers in the dinner for those who do not have access so bids can be placed. Then people all over the country can take part in the bidding for items and could be a way to raise more money. I could be at a wedding and pull out smart phone and bid quick from hundreds of miles away.

Just my 2 cents for the day.

leatherface · Wed Jul 15, 2015 9:50 am

I agree. I never could understand why you had to be at the event in Macomb in order to participate- especially in this day and age. It would seem they are losing out on large numbers of potential bidders who don't live in Macomb. Lets face it, most alums and other possible "friends" don't live in Macomb, and from my understanding, can't participate. Maybe I'm wrong, and you can participate by phone or online. That's not clear to me.

It might be a big social event in Macomb, however, what about the vast majority of the WESTERN family who live out of the area? If you want financial support to reach all those with an affinity to WESTERN, make it possible for all to participate.

Not trying to be negative.

But this and the Leatherneck Club seems to be the two key fundraisers, ( although it was suggested to me on this site that the Leatherneck Club isn't a major fund raiser) so it seems you would want to include as many people as possible.

sealhall74 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:03 am

Without a doubt, the software and network technology is available today to make it happen. Sure, they will take a certain percentage cut of the profits but that is the cost you have to pay to reach the people you need to reach.

WIU0812 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:05 am

leatherface wrote:I agree. I never could understand why you had to be at the event in Macomb in order to participate- especially in this day and age. It would seem they are losing out on large numbers of potential bidders who don't live in Macomb. Lets face it, most alums and other possible "friends" don't live in Macomb, and from my understanding, can't participate. Maybe I'm wrong, and you can participate by phone or online. That's not clear to me.

It might be a big social event in Macomb, however, what about the vast majority of the WESTERN family who live out of the area? If you want financial support to reach all those with an affinity to WESTERN, make it possible for all to participate.

Not trying to be negative. But this and the Leatherneck Club seems to be the two key fundraisers, ( although it was suggested to me on this site that the Leatherneck Club isn't a major fund raiser) so it seems you would want to include as many people as possible.

I do not see it as negative, but more as constructive criticism. I am not aware of any online bidding options for this as I know I have looked through the items and some interest me, but will not be able to bid on them. I did think it was interesting that even this ESPN auction which is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars is using EBAY as its auction site. It is probably to late for anything like this to be done, but I would think UTECH could set something up using the website similar to what ESPN has done. Hopefully Matt Tanny has someone who checks board just because they like to follow along and can realize they need to take more advantage of the technology we have. http://www.ebay.com/rpp/espn

WIU0812 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:10 am

sealhall74 wrote:Without a doubt, the software and network technology is available today to make it happen. Sure, they will take a certain percentage cut of the profits but that is the cost you have to pay to reach the people you need to reach.

I wonder if EBAY takes the money when it is going to school as basically a donation type event. I am guessing they are not taking any of the money from ESPN, but definitely could be wrong.

sealhall74 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:14 am

WIU0812 wrote:
sealhall74 wrote:Without a doubt, the software and network technology is available today to make it happen. Sure, they will take a certain percentage cut of the profits but that is the cost you have to pay to reach the people you need to reach.
I wonder if EBAY takes the money when it is going to school as basically a donation type event. I am guessing they are not taking any of the money from ESPN, but definitely could be wrong.

I am sure Ebay is getting there 9% somehow. There are others out there. BiddingOwl looks relatively cheap (5%) to use and easy to set up.

http://www.biddingowl.com/index.cfm

WIU0812 · Wed Jul 15, 2015 4:02 pm

They just said on the sports radio that 100% of the funds are going to the V Foundation Charity.

leatherface · Wed Jul 15, 2015 6:55 pm

I just read the Purple and Gold Auction is the Athletics Department biggest fund raiser. Why in the world would you limit your biggest - and yes, this should be called major fundraiser- to the participation of a limited number of folks? Makes no sense. Just makes no sense to not include as many participants as possible to raise as much money as possible. Is this some kind of "social event" for Macomb? I got news for you, Macomb by itself can't fund a D1 athletic program. Why in the world not include alumni and friends from around the US or even world? Maybe I still don't understand- bidding is only available to those there that night-right? If I am wrong, I apologize for my ignorance.
This is my last post on this fund raising topic, because I'm sure it's getting old to some. BUT, don't complain WIU doesn't have enough money when the biggest fund raiser is limited to one night for locals, and the Leatherneck Club is perceived by some as a yearly request and not considered a major drive for funds.

sealhall74 · Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:08 am

The auction item list is pretty extensive. I for sure would be bidding on that FB Trip to Fargo if I had the means to do so. I am going to that game by hook or by crook.

http://marker.to/SUhhCZ

Damn, I love that highlight marker for Google Chrome.

WIU0812 · Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:56 am

There is always good items, but some how I am always busy at that time of year. They need to look into broadening this even to include those of us not able to travel. Maybe online bidding was done in past and caused less attendance so they stopped? I probably would of dropped $500 for one of those awesome leatherneck neons they have had.