Mark your calendars, sports fans and community supporters alike—Cleveland State Athletics is rolling up its sleeves for its annual fundraising hustle. On Saturday, August 23, the Welcome Back Soirée is going down at the Viking Public House on Euclid Avenue, smack in the middle of university-wide welcome back festivities. An evening of tunes, nibbles, and schmoozing awaits those ready to champion a cause that gives back to over 290 student-athletes.
For three hours starting at 6 p.m., the soiree invites families, friends, and alumni to mingle with the people steering the teams—coaches and staff, according to an announcement on the Cleveland State Athletics website. Fork over $100 and you're in for heavy appetizers, a libation or two (beer, wine, sure, but soft drinks if that's your lane), and even a raffle to snag something spicy like Ohio State vs. Michigan football tickets, or maybe a package that spells out relaxation in bold: bourbon and a campfire.
The Athletics Department is calling out to long-distance supporters to join the raffle remotely. A $50 ticket puts you in the draw to win any of the listed prizes, which also includes a $500 travel voucher and a nod to golf enthusiasts with the NEO Golf Package. It's all in support of the Viking Fund, which funnels resources into areas critical for student-athletes—a nod towards enhancing sports performance, nutrition, and sports medicine.
Those winnings aren't just trivial perks—they're experiential trophies that give high-fives to your adventure-seeking soul. From cheering at the edge of your seat in an Ohio State vs. Michigan showdown to enjoying the serene sweeps of a golf course, it's all up for grabs. And really, the biggest prize is knowing that your contribution is shaping future champions in more ways than one, on and off the field.
