Alcohol, gambling, hot food, puppies and a chance to win a new car were just some of the highlights Feb. 15 at Cal State Bakersfield’s 13th annual Casino Night in the Islands.
All of CSUB’s athletic teams were represented at the event in some fashion. Even the teams on the road either helped set up the event or donated items for the auction, said Christene Kimmel, CSUB athletic development director. It takes two days to set up the event.
The fundraiser’s focus is to raise money for athletic scholarships. “Every single scholarship is privately fundraised,” said Kimmel.
The event featured two full-service bars with wine, liquor and beer on tap, three craps tables, 36 blackjack tables and one roulette wheel.
The doors opened at 6 p.m. and CSUB Athletic Director Rudy Carvajal met the guests at the door of the CSUB Icardo center and handed out leis of various colors.
Tickets were $30 and provided meal tickets, $1,500 in Runner Bucks and a chance to bid in the live and silent auctions.
The food was prepared by volunteer employees from Outback Steakhouse, and many people were pleased with the menu.
Therese Elmore, CSUB alumni and new student orientation assistant for CSUB, said the food was awesome. “The salad’s the best,” she said. “We turned in another ticket just for a plate of salad.”
The menu featured a Caesar salad, chicken breast, grilled shrimp and wild rice. For dessert the guests were treated to a selection of pies from Marie Callender’s and served by CSUB soccer team volunteers. The options included lemon meringue, pumpkin, razzleberry, apple, French apple, and served with a dish of vanilla ice cream.
Kimmel was pleased with the “fish and fowl” menu, which allowed those that observe Lent to enjoy the food.
The gambling tables were cordoned off from the silent auction tables and the dining area. When emcee Steve Cox, host of Newstalk 1410 Kern AM, announced that the gambling tables were open they slowly began to fill.
Blackjack appeared to be the crowd favorite. CSUB student Randy Schuessler was disappointed that Texas Holdem wasn’t available. According to Kimmel, the permit does not allow for them to play Texas Holdem.
Although the games were played with Runner Bucks rather than real money, every $1,000 won could be exchanged for a ticket to enter in an opportunity drawing that was held at the end of the night.
The drawing included such prizes as a trip to Reno or a stay at Circus Circus in Las Vegas.
The permit allows for such rewards as long as the items don’t exceed $500 in value.
Anyone having a run of bad luck at the tables could go back to the bank booth and get more money.
“You can walk up and ask for more money, they’ll give you $1,500 and you can go back to the tables,” said Kimmel. “Once you’ve busted, your evening doesn’t end.”
According to Kimmel, it takes a lot of planning and preparation to put the event together. It takes five to six months just to get the permits for the gambling and alcohol, said Kimmel.
There were over 550 auction items with an average value of $125 to $150. Shortly before 8:30 p.m. emcee Cox announced that the live auction would be starting soon; the Icardo Center scoreboards were turned on and a timer began. The tables were temporarily closed for the auction.
Cox served as the auctioneer as Kimmel held up or displayed the items. Many items and trips were auctioned off including a BMW Mini Motorcycle.
The most interesting item had a tail, four paws and a sweet disposition. The golden retriever puppy went for $750. Included in the package were six months of dog food and training at Petco. Five more puppies were in the silent auction.
“All the other puppies were auctioned off and went to great homes as well,” said Kimmel. There were three 9-month-old Jack Russell Terriers and two 8-month-old shep-lab retrievers.
“Whoever wins the puppies, they have two of their three puppy shots. They are also fixed and microchipped,” said Cj Longeuay, goalie for the CSUB water polo team.
Many of the auction items were sports related.
“I probably bid on too much of it,” said CSUB alumni Debbie Johnson. “If you’re a sports fan there was a lot of different things you can bid on.
“I want the Pete Rose bat and the John Elway helmet, and I want the White House memorabilia.”
Bill Wright Toyota sponsored a putting contest to win a 2008 Toyota Camry and approximately 150 people took a swing. “No one won the car this year. A couple people missed getting the car by an inch,” said Kimmel.
An estimated 800 to 1,000 tickets were sold and roughly $90,000 to $100,000 were raised for athletic scholarships.
“I think a lot of people had fun,” said Kimmel. “Considering that we were competing with a big three-day weekend, that many people use to go on vacation, we had an amazing turnout. I was really impressed.”
According to Kimmel the scholarship money will be distributed according to gender equity. “You have to look at your demographics and distribute your dollars how the university is,” said Kimmel.
CSUB is 65 percent female and 35 percent male, she added.