The theme of this year’s event is "Yo-Ho-Ho… an Auction Life for Me." A swashbuckling pirate feel will underscore the entire evening and be incorporated into all elements of the auction from start to finish.

Attendees will be served dinner with dessert and coffee and have access to an open bar. Silent auction tables will be out with items displayed for bidding and will close as the live auction begins later in the evening.

In addition to the auctions, there will be the $10,000 reverse raffle.

The event will provide a night of fun for everyone and, in addition, serve an even more important purpose.

"The auction is always a night of fun for the community and provides scholarships for student-athletes who also have excellent academic credentials," said interim athletic director Jimmy Wilson. "Money earned goes to support our Outstanding Student Scholarships, well deserving individuals."

The Outstanding Student Scholars must have two of the following three criteria: a minimum 1140 SAT, a 3.5 high school GPA, or be in the top 20 percent of their high school class. In addition, they must maintain a 3.0 GPA at Georgia College. There are currently 59 student-athletes receiving these scholarships.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. on the lower level of the GCSU Centennial Center. The cost for individual tickets, which admit two and provide one chance in the $10,000 reverse raffle, is $100. A table may be reserved for $500. The table purchase admits eight and the purchaser receives four chances in the reverse raffle plus a corporate pirate-themed gift basket. Tickets are currently on sale and only 400 will be sold.

Georgia College’s teams had a combined GPA of over 3.0 for an unprecedented third straight semester in the Fall of 2007, carding a 3.042. The women’s cross country team took top honors with the highest overall team GPA of 3.325, followed by soccer with a 3.288 and men’s tennis with a 3.221. The department also had 15 students post a 4.0 GPA for the semester.

For more information or to purchase tickets contact Ginger Chaffinch at (478) 445-6870 or by email at ginger.miller@gcsu.edu or call the Athletics office at (478) 445-6341.

The GCSU Department of Athletics sponsors 10 NCAA Division II athletic programs over three seasons. As a Division II program, GCSU prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the Bobcats’ multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement.

Follow the Bobcats and their positive impact on the Milledgeville community at www.gcsu.edu/bobcats.