2026 CR Dinner and Auction Results

Published on Aug 18 2026

College of the Redwoods Dinner & Auction Raises Record $285,000 for Student-Athletes

College of the Redwoods hosted its 22nd Annual College of the Redwoods Dinner & Auction on August 13, 2026, bringing together 475 community members for the college’s largest annual fundraiser benefiting the CR Intercollegiate Athletics Program. The event is estimated to have raised $285,000, with additional donations still being received.

More than 125 CR student athletes played a central role in the evening, assisting with everything from set-up and serving to interacting with guests throughout the event. Blue Lake Casino Hotel and the McLean Foundation served as the event’s title sponsors.

The evening celebrated the accomplishments of CR athletics while recognizing distinguished alumni and showcasing a unique piece of the college’s history. The program honored former Corsair football standout Shawn Howe, now a defensive assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers; inducted former CR football player and longtime Ferndale High School football coach Clint McClurg into the CR Athletics Hall of Fame; and celebrated the return of the historic Corsair Speed Car to the Eureka campus.

“The generosity we experienced this year was overwhelming,” said Marty Coelho, Executive Director of College Advancement and the CR Foundation. “A total of 340 individuals, families, organizations, and businesses donated to this year’s event. The quality and generosity of the donations were remarkable. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support our community provides to College of the Redwoods and our student-athletes.”

That generosity was matched by the enthusiasm of those who attended the event. Ryan Bisio, Athletic Director, said the evening provides an important opportunity to bring student-athletes and community supporters together.

“We continue to be amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support for this event,” Bisio said. “It is so important that we connect our community with our student-athletes and give our students the opportunity to see firsthand how fortunate they are to have this kind of support. At the same time, we love hearing from our community supporters about how much they enjoy personally interacting with our athletes throughout the evening.”

College of the Redwoods President and Superintendent Dr. Keith Flamer expressed his appreciation for the community’s continued commitment to the college and its students.

“We are very grateful for the continued support from our community, alumni and donors,” Flamer said. “Their generosity toward CR athletics underscores our shared commitment to academic and athletic excellence. Every contribution makes a profound and lasting difference in the lives of our student-athletes and strengthens College of the Redwoods.”

The Dinner & Auction is the largest annual fundraiser for CR Intercollegiate Athletics and provides critical financial support for the college’s student-athletes and athletic programs.

The 23rd Annual College of the Redwoods Dinner & Auction will be held Thursday, August 12, 2027, in the College of the Redwoods Gymnasium on the Eureka campus.

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