FMU athletics to hold auction

FLORENCE — The Francis Marion athletic department and the Swamp Fox Club will hold a live benefit auction along with a men’s and women’s basketball tip-off celebration at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the university’s Ervin Dining Hall.

Tickets are $25 for individuals, $40 for a couple, and $175 for a table of eight. Dress will be casual. For ticket information, call the athletic department office at 843-661-1240.

In addition to the approximately 20 items to be offered in the auction, both FMU men’s head coach Gary Edwards and first-year women’s head coach Heather Macy will address the attendees. All proceeds from the event will go to assist student-athletes and the Patriot athletic program.

1. A Taylor Made Tour Golf Bag and a complete set of Mizuno irons.

2. A baseball autographed by members of the 2006 Major League Baseball National League All-Star Team.

3. Hideaway — Enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle in a log cabin (sleeps six) in the Carolina Bay woodlands in Marion County. Hot Tub. Stocked fish pond.

4. Two-night stay at a Gatlinburg, Tenn., bed & breakfast. Included is dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

5. Two tickets (Tyler Tower) to the Dodge Challenger 500, Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the Darlington Raceway.

6. A 4-person outing, with four 100-rounds of sporting clays, at Moree’s Sportsman Preserve in Society Hill. Use this event, Monday-Thursday through March 31, 2008.

7. An all-day cruise on the intercoastal waterway, launching from Lightkeeper Village in North Myrtle Beach. Includes food and beverage package, for adults and children, abroad a 50-foot sportfi sh vessel.

8. Attend a closed to the public UNC’s men’s basketball practice. Tour the Dean Dome, with behind-the-scenes access to different areas. Rental car and 1-night’s lodging included. (not available for recruitable-age student-athletes)

9. A week’s worth of accomodations and tennis at the renowned Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

10. Two tickets to the 2008 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament in Hoover, Ala., May 21-25, 2008, AND two tickets to the Atlanta Falcons NFL game vs New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 10.

11. A quail hunt. 25 birds, guide, and dogs all included.

12. 100 pounds of barbecue served ready to feed up to 100 people. Includes homemade baked beans, cole slaw, and roll. Will cook on site (requires 12 hours), dates to be negotiated.

13. Four tickets to the USC-Clemson football game on Saturday, Nov. 24, in Columbia. Tickets are on the 20th row, lower level, south end, between the 5-yard line and the goaline.

14. A week in a Pawleys Plantation residence. Three bedrooms and three baths. Access to the beach, golf course, pool, and spa. Any week except July 4.

15. Baseball autographed by ironman and 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Cal Ripken Jr.

16. A year’s membership at the Fitness Forum in downtown Florence. Includes V02 max and Resting Expenditure evaluation.

17. Deer hunt — Hunt until you shoot a buck (at least 6-point) or a doe. Doe tag provided. Good anytime in 2008.

18. A four-bedroom, 3.5 bath beach house on Edisto Island. Sleeps 10.

19. A one-week timeshare vacation (3 bedroom residence) at numerous destinations (Hawaii, San Diego, Florida, New England, Mexico, the Carribean). Good from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, 2008.