The Phoenix Club’s sold out ‘The Night of the Phoenix’ featuring Roy Firestone held on Friday, Feb. 22 in Alumni Gymnasium passed all goals in raising money for an Elon athletics scholarship. Read this note for details of the successful event...
“The efforts of the Phoenix Club Advisory Board, the Phoenix Club and the Elon athletics staff was rewarded with a very generous display of support for Elon student-athletes,” said Dick Shirley, chair of the Phoenix Club Advisory Board. “It was incredibly rewarding to see so much support for Elon Athletics gathered in one room for a night of fun and entertainment.”
The night began at 6:30 with a social hour during which guests could mingle while browsing and bidding on over 150 silent auction items. Dinner was then served and Elon Director of Athletics Dave Blank welcomed the crowd. Attendees heard from Shirley and Elon women’s tennis student-athlete Jenn Tucci.
“Individuals heard first-hand from our Student-Athlete Advisory Council president on the impact they are having” said Brian Tracy, director of the Phoenix Club . “She addressed the crowd of over 500 people on behalf of our 400 student-athletes and really let them know they are making a difference with their support of Elon athletics and the Phoenix Club.”
Sports journalist Roy Firestone then performed his multi-media show for the crowd of nearly 500. Firestone sang, danced, impersonated and entertained for nearly an hour, incorporating spoofs of Elon figures and talking about accomplishments of Elon’s athletic teams and student-athletes. His performance hailed a standing ovation from the crowd.
Mike Cross, vice chair of the Phoenix Club Advisory Board, then addressed the room and announced that the silent auction total raised was just over $43,000. The evening concluded with the announcement of winning bidders for the items and a book signing by Firestone. Items such as the New York Yankees Dream Package, a speech by humorist Jeanne Robertson, an Ernie Koury BBQ and Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament tickets fetched the highest totals.
“The success of the Night of the Phoenix exceeded our expectations in every way possible. We appreciate the many businesses in the area who contributed items for auction,” said Cross. “We plan to build on the momentum this event created and turn it into a tradition that the community will look forward to each year.”