Cash Bash brings community together to support UNCP student-athletes

By the time the bidding began inside the English E. Jones Center, the energy in the room had already taken hold.

Donors moved between silent auction items. Student-athletes laughed alongside coaches, alumni and longtime supporters. And as the annual Braves Club Cash Bash unfolded, one thing became clear once again: the UNCP community continues to show up in a major way.

For the second consecutive year, Cash Bash, presented by Scotland Health, set a new fundraising record, generating $221,017 for scholarship opportunities for nearly 400 student-athletes across 16 varsity sports. The total surpasses last year's historic mark of $189,719 and continues the momentum behind one of the university's most important athletics traditions.

“Cash Bash plays a vital role in increasing available scholarship support through both the general scholarship fund and sport-specific athletic program funds,” said Monica Strickland, director of the Braves Club in the UNCP Advancement office. “These contributions create meaningful scholarship opportunities for our student-athletes and directly impact their ability to succeed both on and off the field.”

Behind the scenes, the event represents months of planning and coordination for Strickland, who once worked with the UNCP football program as a student and now leads the Braves Club fundraising efforts. That impact could be seen throughout the evening in conversations between student-athletes, coaches and supporters.

“It's been incredible,” said Tyler Patterson, a junior on the volleyball team. “The support on campus and off campus has been truly one of a kind. I really don't think I would be where I am today without it.”

Patterson, who came to Pembroke from Jacksonville, Florida, said the sense of community has been a defining part of her experience.

“When you come from a bigger city into a smaller town, it can be an adjustment,” she said. “But the people here have made it feel like home. It's something you can't fully understand unless you experience it.”

Throughout the evening, student-athletes moved from table to table, thanking donors and sharing stories with supporters during the silent auction and dinner.

Beans Hunt, a sophomore football player, sat with a table of donors and reflected on the sense of community surrounding UNCP athletics.

“Every dollar helps us tremendously. It provides travel, meals and scholarships,” Hunt said. “What really makes UNCP athletics special is the community behind it. It feels more like a family here. Everybody does their part and it all comes together as one.”

Stephanie Graziani, head coach of the softball team, said donor contributions are foundational to building a competitive program.

“The support is embedded within our program,” Graziani said. “Those resources give us the opportunity to build something special. Without it, we can't do what we want to do.”

Graziani added that those resources also play a major role in recruiting the right student-athletes.

“Scholarship funding is huge for recruiting,” she said. “We want to bring in people who want to be here and represent this university the right way.”

Community members played an active role in the evening, including UNCP Board of Trustees member Kenneth Robinette, who, along with Trustee Allison Harrington Walters, contributed a unique tailgate experience for 24 guests as part of the live auction. Robinette also donated a handmade Ben Owen's Seagrove pottery piece embedded with the UNCP official seal. It sold for $2,500 during the silent auction.

“I fell in love with the people here,” Robinette said. “What this university does for this part of the Southeast is amazing. I just want to be a part of it and contribute as much as I can.”

Robinette emphasized the long-term impact of investing in student-athletes.

“A lot of these student-athletes would not have the chance to go to college if it were not for a scholarship,” he said. “We're changing lives through those opportunities.”

Following the live auction, the energy intensified during the Fund-a-Cause portion of the evening as paddles continued rising across the room. Beginning at the $5,000 level and moving downward through additional giving tiers, supporters responded one after another until the fundraising goal was surpassed, generating $71,945 for student-athlete scholarships.

“It means a great deal to see our community continue to show up for Cash Bash and invest in our student-athletes in such a meaningful way,” Strickland said. “Seeing those genuine connections between donors and student-athletes is one of the most rewarding parts of the event. We have an incredible community at UNCP, and I'm grateful to be part of it.”