GUNNISON, Colo. Absent for two years from its annual spot in the spring calendar, the Sam Boyd/Mountaineer Athletic Association (MAA) Crab & Steak Feed Dinner and Auction returned for its 19th get-together in record-breaking fashion on Saturday, April 2, easily surpassing the previous event's fundraising record in setting a new high-water mark of $86,855.
A sold-out crowd of 400 gathered in Western Colorado University's Mountaineer Field House for the Roaring '20s (Take 2!) themed event – presented by sponsors Lacy Construction and United Companies -- that directly supports scholarship needs for Western student-athletes.
The most recent Crab Feed was last held in 2019, raising a then-record total of $54,033. The 2020 event was scheduled as normal – with a Roaring '20s theme – but was canceled due to restrictions set about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event was also canceled due to the same protocols, but this 2022 version of the event went off without a hitch.
The supporters in attendance were treated to an all-you-can eat feast of Pacific Dungeness crab, steak (from Great Range Bison), salad and pasta, desserts and drinks. MAA Board of Directors Vice President Drew Brown, owner of 5 B's BBQ in downtown Gunnison, handled the food prep and cooking for the event. Sodexo provided wine and champagne and High Country Beverage provided beer for the attendees.
Throughout the dinner portion of the schedule, attendees were able to invest in tickets for 20 bucket-draw prizes (getting to keep either a keepsake Crab Feed pint glass or Mason jars); 52-card draw prizes; card-deck door prizes; and 20 silent auction items.
The dinner festivities rolled into the centerpiece of the night – a live auction run by professional auctioneers Scott Shuman and his daughter, Shelby. The 20 prizes within the live auction included a signed Los Angeles Chargers jersey donated by WCU football alumni Austin Ekeler, and a dinner with WCU Interim President Nancy Chisholm and newly elected President Brad Baca.
The evening concluded with one final live auction item – Give to Give. Auctioneer Scott Shuman led the crowd into the opportunity to 'bid' a donation, and he riled the attendees up to the tune of almost $34,000 in individual donations.
The record-breaking night would have been impossible without the immense support by those in attendance, and from the MAA board of Brown, Candi Borah, Leila Calkins, Connor Clark, Chris Coleman, Brian Coppess, Jim Harriss, Josh Hartner, Jay Hill, Jeanie Miller, Linda Pierce, Rick Desch, Joe and Sheila Winegardner, and David Wright.
Western Athletics would like to thank the 26 businesses, organizations and individuals that purchased VIP tables: Brad and Julie Baca; Back Country Café; Rick Desch; Great Range Bison; Gunnison Shipping; Gunnison Valley Health; High Country Beverage; Insurance of the Rockies; Lacy Construction; Ron Leach, WCU School of Business; Paula Mann, CPA; Mario's and The Dive; Monkey Goats; Adam Murdie for Sherriff; OffCenter Designs; Pipher Enterprises; Professional Contractors, Inc.; Spallone Construction; State Farm and Gunnison Trucking; Three Rivers Resort; WCU Advancement; WCU Alumni Relations; WCU Cheerleding; WCU Foundation; WCU President's Office; and United Companies.
The total from the 2022 Crab & Steak Feed pushes the all-time total for the event to over $611,000. The largest annual single fundraising event for Western Athletics is tentatively scheduled to be hosted in 2023 on April 1 in the Mountaineer Field House.
