The million-dollar goal set by the Eastern Illinois Athletic Department Panther Club was exceeded this year at the organization’s Bleed Blue Bash.

The Club set their annual fund-raising goal at $1 million but was able to raise $1,054,819 as a result of last month’s events.

Eastern director of athletic development, Pam Collins, stated that the goal was exceed despite having fewer workers this year. She stated that new incentives for membership and beginning fund-raising activities early in January allowed the club to raise as much funds as they did. New incentives this year included getaway certificates for two night stays at locations across the country, and Tony Romo Jerseys offered for new members at the $200 level.

The annual Spring Fling was also a major source of income for the group. Collins credited the volunteers, staff, and individuals who attended the activities with reaching their ambitious fund-raising goal.

The evening’s events included a live auction in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Grand Ballroom, which raised $54,000, nearly $20,000 more than last year’s total.

Collins also praised the Spring Fling committee and the roughly 90 workers who made up the eight teams participating in this year’s drive.

Teams set individual cash goals and were rated on how much money they took in. The top three teams were awarded prizes.

In addition to the top money making teams, several other Panther Club members were honored with awards at this year’s Bleed Blue Bash. Workers who were able to raise more than $600 in new funds, meeting their cash goals, were awarded special gifts at the night’s festivities. Also recognized were: Fund Drive MVP Ed Corley; Panther Club Board of Director’s winner Mike Moncel; Halftime Award winner Mark Kesler; Big Catch Award winner Paul Wieck; Rookie of the Year winner Gary Niehaus, and Membership Drive Award winner Megan Sparks.

The Panther Club holds several events throughout the year to raise money to support Eastern student-athletes in addition to the Spring Fling. Golf outings were held last summer to contribute money to the organization, as well as a raffle for a $2,500 travel voucher. Also included in this year’s total were earnings from the Foundation Scholarship and cash raised from fund-raisers held by individual teams throughout the year.

Collins stated that funds raised by the Athletic Department go towards benefiting Eastern student-athletes. This includes covering travel expenses, recruitment efforts, and scholarships.

“It basically benefits the entire program,” said Collins.