What a difference a year makes.

High-end auction items, trips, the Champaign band “The Brat Pack” and a highly charged atmosphere catapulted the donations of the Panther Club’s Spring Fling 2012 to $133,000, shattering the $99,000 mark from 2011.

Ryan Hastings, the assistant athletic director for development, said he attributes the success of the fundraiser to a year-round collaborative effort between the Panther Club, student-athlete volunteers, the athletic department, support from the local community, alumni and “anybody and everybody” who pitched in.

“Everyone was having fun, and they opened up their wallet books and decided that was something they wanted to go ahead and support,” Hastings said.

Hastings said the event sold out this year, showing the fruit of the club’s efforts to reach out to potential donors, as well as the reputation of the annual event.

“We try to hit up anybody who has a willingness to give,” Hastings said. “The community really supports us in a lot of ways, and this is one of the big ways that really helps our bottom line.”

He said the funds raised go toward scholarships and athletic facilities.

“Everything that we do is for the student-athlete,” Hastings said.

The Panther Club provides funding for scholarships, academic support services, and leadership programs for the 430 student-athletes at Eastern through the Annual Fund and LAIR Fund.

The Spring Fling committee within the club meets in September and works until the Spring Fling in April to pull the largest amount of donations for the athletic department.

Assistant Director Bryan Gates takes the lead on events for the Panther Club’s development team, coordinating with coaches and student-athletes to find ways to mesh with the community.

“It’s a full team effort. We have golf outings all summer, football and basketball events, Spring Fling and galas,” Gates said. “Our coaches and staff not only do a good job of attending the events but interacting with our donors, fans and the rest of the community.”

Gates said the money is being geared toward the Legacy Campaign focusing on renovating O’Brien Stadium’s weight room and athletic training facilities.

“We’re all working for the same goal, and it’s all going to help with student-athletes’ experience here, their scholarships; Everything goes into it,” Hastings said.

Joshua Bryant can be reached at 581-2812 or jpbryant@eiu.edu.