NATCHITOCHES – As NSU Athletic Scholarship Auction 2015, supporting Northwestern State student-athletes, approaches on Saturday, Aug. 22, individual and table reservations are picking up while volunteers continue amassing enticing items for bid at a frenetic pace.
 
Dozens of auction items are being collected by a team of about 20 volunteers who are reaching around the area, the country and beyond to collect the foundation for a successful and memorable Scholarship Auction 2015.
 
The event is open to the public and reservations are being accepted by Patric DuBois, the Scholarship Auction coordinator, who can be reached at 318-357-5001 or at duboisp@nsula.edu by e-mail. Invitations have been mailed to NSU Demons Unlimited Foundation members, NSU season ticket holders and other groups, but the invitations are not required to attend. Tickets are $75 person, $125 per couple, $500 for a table of eight or $1,000 for a VIP 10-seat table in a prime location.

The Scholarship Auction has been held in odd-numbered years, on the Saturday night prior to the kickoff of the Demons' football season, since 1989. This will be the 14th Scholarship Auction benefitting NSU athletics through the Demons Unlimited Foundation.

The event includes hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, a sumptuous dinner, and entertainment while guests shop during the silent auction. Northwestern student-athletes and spirit group members interact with patrons. The NSU staff of coaches and administrators mingle with guests, along with an array of student-athletes, cheerleaders and spirit groups.

A wide range of items - including appliances, merchandise, artwork, clothing, jewelry, furniture, sports memorabilia and even cars - have been featured in past Scholarship Auctions, and will be again.

Some recently procured auction items include a week stay for 8-12 people in the mountains near Aspen, Col., tickets to the 2015 Southeastern Conference Football Championship game at the Georgia Dome, a trip to Cozumel, furniture, a 2015 Honda 4x4 ATV, a five-day use of a condo on the Florida Gulf coast and hundreds of other great items.

Outings including hotel, game tickets and travel to NFL, collegiate football & basketball, and Major League Baseball games are staples of Scholarship Auctions, along with experiences involving NSU teams and new President Dr. Jim Henderson.

"All of the teams and coaches have stepped up big time to do some very nice and special things for the auction, each which I am sure will be hotly contested in the bidding," said DuBois. "It's going to be a very fun night on Aug. 22, which will lead into a very successful 2015-16 athletic season."