On August 10, 2023, we hosted the 18th College of the Redwoods Dinner & Auction in support of our athletics teams and programs. This year’s honorees were Jim McAuley, CR’s winningest football coach and CR Athletic Director from 1977-1991and the 1998-1999 Men’s Basketball team who were Golden Valley Conference Champions. It was a lively event, with over 450 people in attendance, including nine of the 98-99 team members, and underscored the importance of intercollegiate sports to our region.

I am delighted to report that, due to remarkable support from our community, preliminary estimates show the event garnering an impressive $240,000 for CR Athletics. The auction portion alone brought in an outstanding $140,000, surpassing last year's total by over $20,000 with another $100,000 pledged by Mr. Dan Phillips, an esteemed member of the President’s Advisory Council and a former CR football player and wrestler.

At the heart of this success was the incredible outpouring of support from individuals and businesses who donated an assortment of items to the auction, from unique artworks and handcrafted items to exciting experiences and merchandise. I believe that the auction truly showcased the diverse talents, skills, and generosity of our community members.

From the early days of CR, athletics have played an integral role in our story, creating a special bond between the college and the community. While it is gratifying to see the stands packed with cheering fans for our winning teams, College of the Redwoods takes great pride in the fact that our athletic programs not only contribute to the overall development of student-athletes but also foster a sense of camaraderie and connection that resonates beyond the campus borders.

In past columns, I have written about recent changes to our recruitment practices in an effort to more closely align with our overarching mission to partner with the community to contribute to the economic vitality and lifelong learning needs of our service area. As part of this initiative, we now exclusively recruit from California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona, with a primary focus on students from local district high schools.

The changes have garnered a noticeable increase in the local student athlete numbers from 2022 to 2023. In terms of specific sports, Football saw a rise from 67 participants in 2022 to 95 in 2023, with the local talent increasing from 28 to 29. Women's Basketball displayed growth from 11 to 13 athletes, with the local segment comprising nine participants. In Men's Basketball, the total athletes increased to 13 from 16, with the local contingent increasing by two to total six. Volleyball showcased growth from 11 to 13 athletes, with eight being local participants.

This year we also added Men's Wrestling with 16 student-athletes registered this year, nine from the local community. In total, the data indicates a rise in the number of student athletes from 150 in 2022 to 198 in 2023, with local involvement at 46% of total student-athletes.

It is clear that our athletic programs are thriving, and we hope to continue the trend of homegrown success on all of our teams. With continued support from the community like we saw with the August 10^th fundraising event, I’m sure we will see even more remarkable achievements in the future. The funds raised will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for the growth and advancement of our teams and I am profoundly grateful.