WARRENSBURG, Mo. (June 29, 2017) – The University of Central Missouri Athletics will kick off the upcoming 2017-18 school year with the 17th Annual Celebrating Central Missouri Athletics Auction Friday evening, August 11. The auction raises funds in support of Central Missouri's 17 intercollegiate athletic programs.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 11. The silent auction runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and participants can enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and bid on items. From 6:30-8:00 p.m., a wonderful buffet dinner, prepared by Sodexo, will be served, and from 7:45-10:00 p.m. will be the live auction of donated items. Items in both the live and silent auction will range from official UCM athletic gear to sports memorabilia, vacations, golf outings, and household items.

Once again, all silent auction bidding will be done on mobile devices. Auction attendees will be able to bid on silent auction items from their smart phones. UCM Athletics will also have tablets on hand to assist in the bidding process.

The cost, which includes the dinner and the chance to bid at both the silent and live auction, is $75 per person, or a table of eight can be purchased for $600. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse the items and pre-register to avoid lines on auction night at the Auction Preview Thursday, August 10 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. You may also register online at UCMathletics.com/auction. As always, the UCM Auction is open to the public.

This year's auction is sure to include something for everyone with hundreds of items available in the silent auction, including UCM gear, sporting event tickets and memorabilia. The live auction includes such items as football and basketball suites at Missouri Tiger games, condo stays at several beautiful resort locations, regional vacations, as well as radio advertising and much, much more. The always entertaining, and UCM Athletic Hall-of-Famers "The Nigro Brothers" will again be on hand to provide the auctioneering.

Attendees will enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Chef Dale McDonald and the staff of Sodexo Campus Services. The hors d'oeuvres will consist of shrimp cocktail, gourmet cheese, smoked meats and fruit. The dinner will feature summer greens with dried cranberries, Fuji apples and shaved asiago with raspberry vinaigrette or house ranch, carved Traeger smoked prime rib, Traeger smoked maple glazed turkey breast, smashed baby red potatoes, fresh baby carrots with brown sugar glaze, and fresh asparagus. Dessert will feature an assorted gourmet cupcake display, assorted mini pies and tarts, and a novelty ice cream station provided by DQ Grill & Chill.

To register for the auction and dinner visit UCMAthletics.com/auction. For more information contact the UCM Athletics ticket office at 660-543-8339 or via email at tickets@ucmo.edu. To donate an item, please contact Athletics Development Officer Michelle Schubert at 660-543-8396 or schubert@ucmo.edu. Persons who donate items in excess of $1,000 value will receive a free table for eight.