Auction held Friday to raise money for women’s sports
An auction to raise money for women’s athletic scholarships and sporting expenses was held Friday afternoon at the Coppermill as a way to support and promote women’s sports.
The third-annual “Get in the Game” Women’s Sports Auction was centered around a Nike advertisement that says, “If you let me play, I will like myself more, I will have more self confidence, I will suffer less depression, I will be 60 percent less likely to get breast cancer. If you let me play I will be more likely to leave a man that beats me, I will be less likely to get pregnant before I want to, I will learn what it means to be strong, if you let me play sports”
Randy Spetman, USU athletics director, said,”We just want to provide an opportunity for women to give back to other women. It’s becoming more important for women to support each other.”
Becky Spetman, Randy Spetman’s wife and coordinator of the fundraiser, agreed, saying, “It’s women supporting women and that’s a strong statement.”
They made $10,000 the first year, she said, and $15,000 last year. She said they don’t come with a set amount of money that they want to make, and that way they are never disappointed. All of prizes and auction items were donated, all the proceeds go directly to the scholarship funds for women athletes and it’s all volunteer oriented, she said.
“We’re like a big family trying to reach the same goal,” said Janet Bringhurst, a third-year volunteer. “I hope that this is still around so that my two daughters will have this opportunity when they get to college.”
“I’m doing what means a lot to me. This cause means a lot to me,” Becky Spetman said. “The experience is more than worthwhile.”
Bringhurst said it is a great experience to work with such wonderful people for such a great cause.
“This goes beyond scholarships,” Randy Spetman said. “This helps support the women’s athletic program. This goes towards traveling expenses, rings, equipment – it’s for all the behind the scenes stuff.”
Brandi Bastian, a second-year volunteer for the fundraiser, said, “I do this because I love women’s sports.”
“Becky does all the work; the women do all the work. The only men here are coaches and directors, and there aren’t many of them,” Randy Spetman said.