The first Dinner for Champions brought together Millsaps College supporters in an event guided by chairman of the M-Club Counsel, Steve Hendrix and M-Club Director Jim Page. The featured speaker, former Auburn head coach and Hall of Famer Pat Dye, inspired student-athletes and guests as he discussed the importance of blending athletics and academics. What started out a year ago as an idea of former athletic director Ron Jurney developed into the exciting reality of an annual fundraiser to help support all of Millsaps Athletics.
Held on Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the Sparkman Building at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Lakeland Drive, the fundraiser brought in more than 170 alumni and guests, with about 75 student-athletes and more than a dozen athletic staff members filling in as waiters, hosts and even parking attendants.
And while athletics have always been a valuable part of the college experience at Millsaps, support was never more evident than in the money raised—just over \$100,000-- and the turnout that Tuesday night. “I was overwhelmed by the amount of support from the M-Club Counsel, coaches, student-athletes and all of those who attended the dinner,” Page said. “It was an amazing evening, highlighted by a wonderful speaker in Pat Dye, who delivered such a great message about how athletics and academics can intertwine [which was] directed at not only people who attended the dinner but to all of our student-athletes.”
With beautiful table decorations and heartfelt, autobiographical descriptions of student-athletes' experiences, the atmosphere was one of love of athletics and a sense of dedication. Guests, who enjoyed a dinner prepared by Jay Schimmel and his staff at Schimmel's Restaurant, were out in full force focusing on one common goal—a way to give financial support to all 14 intercollegiate sports offered at Millsaps in one fundraiser.
“The amount of money raised will go a long way in promoting and reflecting our athletes' life experiences at Millsaps College,” Page continued. “I can't begin to thank all of our donors, alumni, friends, family and staff members who went the extra mile to make this thing happen. I have always been proud to be a Major, but that one night was extra special. With the continued support of Millsaps Athletics, the student-athletes of today and tomorrow will reap the benefits of this annual event.”
All proceeds from the Dinner for Champions banquet go directly to the Millsaps athletic programs and will help ensure that the athletic facilities and programs parallel the level of academic excellence that is a tradition at the College. For more information, or to give to the athletic program at Millsaps, please contact Coach Jim Page at 601.974.1196.
