Date Auction heats things up, raises $3K

By Sarah Peters
Collegian Staff Writer

Participants in Phi Delta Phi’s second annual Date Auction sat on black leather couches under the bright lights of the stage of the 797 Lounge, nervously waiting for the auction to start.

Once the auction began, however, they loosened up, showing off their best poses, blowing kisses to the audience and taking bows in an attempt to increase the bidding, eventually raising $3,076.

The fraternity’s fundraiser was a pledge class project designed to raise money for Relay for Life Jaclyn Reilly, a new member of Phi Delta Phi, said.

The fraternity said they hoped this year’s auction would match the $3,000 that the first auction — which benefited the Interfraterni-ty Council/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon (THON) –brought in.

“After the success of last year’s auction, we decided to make this the second one for Phi Delta Phi,” Reilly said.

About 150 people packed the 797 Lounge for the date auction. A few hours earlier, the auction was moved from its original venue, Mezzanine, which was unable to reopen Wednesday night because of renovations.

About 15 organizations were represented in the auction, including other organizations in the greek community, the Horticulture Department, Rainbow Roundtable and the Penn State Blue Band.

Kevin Masset, a member of Phi Delta Phi, was one of 30 participants to be auctioned. Though he was a little nervous, Masset (graduate-law) said he was excited about the event.

“It certainly is going to be unpredictable, and I think everyone that’s here is going to get involved and have a good time,” he said.
Kevin McGarry, the night’s auctioneer, was brimming with excitement as well.

“I love it,” McGarry (graduate-law) said. “It’s a blast. You’re whole job is to make sure people are having fun.”

The bidding started low, increasing by increments of five dollars. Some participants sold for around $30, while others went for as much as $200.

Participants requested what kind of date they wanted, and once they were sold, their buyers were given gift cards for restaurants, movie theaters, bowling allies and ice skating rinks.

Paul Van Fleet (graduate-law) purchased Kenny Donnelly, one of the fraternity’s Relay for Life team captains for $100.

“I was looking for someone who’s nice to look at, but also has a great personality, likes football,” Van Fleet said.

Donnelly (graduate-law) touted his singing, dancing and conversation skills to sell in his first auction.

“I’m one of the team captains for Relay for Life, so it was a natural fit,” he said.

Wesley Goldbaum (sophomore-kinesiology) was just hoping to sell.

Most participants wore either T-shirts or a dress shirt and tie, but Goldbaum, a member of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) donned a suit for the occasion.

“I’m advertising myself as a gentleman, clean cut, nice,” he said. “Hopefully, I can meet someone real fun, someone new.”