Given that I have the keys (username and password) to the castle (ASOR WordPress), I really should be blogging more. Most of you know that I had a child last November, so to find the time to sit down and fire off a blog that I find to be worthwhile is difficult. If I’m going to take up space and bandwidth, I want to make sure I got a juicy one. And since the annual Flames Club Gala is coming up this week I figured this would be the perfect way to get it out there for the fans to see.
The Flames Club hypes this gala up more than they do the Excellence Funds (rev share money that goes directly to the athletes for player retention and acquisition) and the NIL store, so it’s a really big in their eyes. I’ve said it a zillion times, no one supports the Flames Club without actually joining the Flames Club more than me, and I’m certainly not going to stop now.
The annual gala is an event where Liberty fans mingle and help raise money to help “make it possible for our student-athletes to succeed”. Not totally sure exactly what that means if we’re being honest, but whatever to get us back to playing the first Friday in December and the first weekend of March Madness.
Now a big part of that is a silent auction, which is accessible to Liberty fans to access from anywhere around the world. People are free to bid on hundreds of items and experiences that people have donated or they found in a closet somewhere in one of the athletic buildings. Either way its the perfect opportunity for people who want high quality Liberty gear but don’t know the right people. For those who want to follow along the link can be found below.
Now I’m a little sour on silent auctions at the moment. Two months ago my wife bid $325 on a framed Space Jam Monopoly board only to find out it was Space Jam 2. That’s $325 American Dollars. That’s what it costs to fill up one of the three Flames Club wrapped trucks these days!
That is in the past and this is the now. Silent Auction redemption starts this Saturday and here are the items I might find myself in the mix for and some others I’ll let someone else bid on.
Steals (under $100)
Liberty Baseball 2019 ASUN Autographed Bracket
I would be lying if I told you I remember us winning the 2019 ASUN Baseball Championship. I was probably still relishing in the basketball win over Mississippi State to realize. Finding out we won was a great feeling. I even high fived my blind dog. Having that hanging up next to the framed Space Jam (2) monopoly board would be a great look. A welcoming addition for any man cave.
Coach McKay NIT Autograph Basketball
I would bid on anything that Coach McKay has signed. A lunchbox, a ukulele, you name it. The NIT logo looks way cooler than I realized. I wouldn’t be shocked if this got up into the triple digits by Saturday night.
Fred Banks signed photo
Fred Banks was the first Liberty player ever selected in the draft and a Liberty Athletics HOF’er. Pretty remarkable in itself but can we talk about that jersey scheme for a second? All timer. Plus that might be Jerry Falwell jumping on the sidelines in the background? Might be the steal of the auction.
Great Value (in the $100-$200 range)
Any of the game worn Bowl Game jerseys
I use game worn loosely because I don’t think any of the those jersey saw the field but that’s not important here. Those jerseys are cooler than anything you can get at Wal Mart or the bookstore. If can find something in your size you have to pull the trigger and get one.
*UPDATE* Liberty Basketball Twitter hyped up bidding on an Owen Aquino jersey??? Bidding on a jersey of a player who left here to get more money at an event trying to raise money so this kind of thing doesn’t happen again??? (at least I hope this auction money is going directly to the student athletes)
Marching Band Uniform Top
I didn’t know I needed one of these until I saw it. I might need it more than my New Jersey supermarkets to sell Cheerwine. My biggest problem is I have no idea what size I wear in marching band uniform tops. If I saw someone wearing one of these at a tailgate I would offer them an instant spot in the Cabana if this were the cabana era. (RIP Cabana 9. Dennis is you’re reading this I’m planning on going to the home opener if you have room in your suite for Poppa Longshots and I). Now I’ve never been in a marching band but I love the marching band. Great vibes, great energy. Gotta have it.
Goated Liberty Golf Polo
This is maybe the coolest Liberty polo I have ever seen in my life. Turns out they sell these online as well? I can guarantee if you wear this you can shave at least 3 stroke off your card. No wonder it has 9 bids already! The people know fashion when they see it.
Pricey, but must have
Dinner with ADIM
I had this in my blog last year and it has to remain. I have too many questions and comments that I would want to ask but probably won’t ever get the chance to at a sporting event.
What do you want your statue to look like?
Did you want to come to Boondocks before the Fiesta Bowl?
How can Liberty do better at raising money specifically to help coaches retain and acquire players?
What was the biggest win during your tenure here?
All simple fun stuff that we could enjoy over some Bojangles!
Custom Liberty Wrapped Challenger
No one loves wrapped things more than the Flames Club and you too can have your own Liberty wrapped challenger! I’m not sure if it’s street legal but unfortunately it’s live auction only. I did an extensive deep dive throughout the internet (a simple Google search) and I couldn’t find a single JMU or Coastal Wrapped anything.
