UMC Golden Eagle News Archive:
June 6, 2006 - July 1, 2009

More than $25,000 was raised in just two days recently to help fund scholarships for student-athletes at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. On Thursday, April 23, Bill Tyrrell, director of athletic fundraising was the focus of a special effort to raise money for athletic scholarships. Student-athletes joined Tyrrell in his third annual Student Athlete Walk with Bill. The walk-a-thon was a success garnering more than $8,000 and making the three-year total for the event approximately $29,000.

Crookston National Bank helped sponsor the event and provided food and beverages for the record crowd in attendance. “I am grateful to Crookston National for their support of this effort,” Tyrrell said. “It was also great to have the student athletes join me this year.”

Adam Maruska, vice president at Crookston National, echoed Tyrrell’s enthusiasm for the walk-a-thon’s success and reported that Tyrrell completed the walk in a record time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. “The walk with Bill is a great event,” Maruska stated. “It is an opportunity to raise support for athletics and Bill is an inspiration to those around him.”

On Friday evening, Teambackers hosted their annual Fun Nite. This year marked the fourteenth year for the event and proceeds were some $17,500. All money raised goes directly to support scholarships for student athletes.

“Fun Nite is a joint effort by many people,” Tyrrell says. “I thank those who contributed items for the auctions and purchased tickets to help us raise money. I also would like to thank the Eagle’s for hosting the event and for the great meal, and I am grateful to everyone who helps set up and clean up.”

Student-athletes helped serve the meal and assisted with other events during the evening. Tyrrell noted his appreciation for their efforts as well.

Teambackers is an athletic promotion and fundraising organization for U of M, Crookston. It operates in conjunction with the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, the Athletic Department, and the U of M Foundation. To learn more, visit www.goldeneaglesports.com/Teambackers. 

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 applied-science undergraduate degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.