MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune
August 15, 2015
Sportsmen’s Raffle is instrumental in providing scholarship dollars for student athletes
An activity that is instrumental in providing scholarships for Mayville State’s student athletes is currently underway. The ninth annual Comet Athletic Club Sportsmen’s raffle event will be held Saturday evening, August 29, at the Mayville Armory. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:00, and the big event, the raffle drawing for 60 guns, begins at 7:00. A view, sound, and light show provided by HB Sound & Light will add some extra-special fun to the event. This feature has been incorporated into the event the last couple of years, and it is sure to make for another exciting and entertaining evening this year. And you won’t want to miss the antics of Mike Bakken and Tom Moe, emcees for the evening.
Raffle tickets for the 60-gun giveaway are on sale now for $100 each. The $100 buys a chance to win a gun and admission to the raffle event that will not only include a dinner, but door prizes, a cash bar, and lots of side raffles. Only 600 tickets will be sold, so there is a 1-in-10 chance of winning. The list of guns to be raffled includes shotguns and rifles, as well as handguns. To see a complete listing, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/sportsmensraffle.
Those who do not wish to purchase the $100 gun raffle ticket are welcome to attend the August 29 event too. Cost for attending the event without the gun raffle ticket purchase is $25 per person, payable at the door on August 29.
Raffle tickets are also being sold for a chance to win a 2015 Polaris Ranger 570. Tickets sell for $20.00 each. The drawing will be held at the Sportsmen’s raffle event. The winner need not be present to win. The ATV raffle is being sponsored by Finley Motorsports in Finley, N.D.
The first Comet Athletic Club Sportsmen’s Raffle was held in 2007 when $20,000 was raised. Over the years, the popularity of the event has continued to grow as has the ultimate success of the event. Last year, meals were served to about 300 people, and the net amount raised was nearly $23,000!
Pulling off a successful event like this is not easy. It takes many people working together for the good of the whole. We are truly grateful to the officers and members of the Comet Athletic Club board who work hard to make the Sportsmen’s Raffle a reality. We tip our hats to the many people who purchase raffle tickets and attend the raffle event, as well. You are making a difference at Mayville State!
The Sportsmen’s Raffle was the brainchild of former Comet Athletic Club board member Harlan Johnson of Mayville. From the beginning, he has worked very hard to formulate and orchestrate this event which has become so very important to Mayville State University Athletics. While Harlan is no longer in charge, he is helping and has been involved in many ways.
The Comet Athletic Club is the fundraising body for Mayville State University Athletics. The mission of the Comet Athletic Club is to provide scholarships which bring outstanding student athletes to Mayville State University. Secondly, the Club provides other financial support that assures superior athletic support and programming. The Club builds a spirit of camaraderie among those who enjoy athletic competition and who believe that the athletic experience is of benefit to students. Members of the Comet Athletic Club help to provide golden opportunities for many young people who wish to attend college and participate in athletics. Without scholarships, many of these students might not have an opportunity to attend college.
For more information on the Sportsmen’s Raffle, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/sportsmentsraffle. Tickets are available online and at the Mayville State University Foundation office. Contact the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.