Jewels of the Night fundraiser sparkles

More than $110,000 was raised for the Long Beach State athletic department at the sixth annual Jewels of the Night fundraiser at The Pyramid Saturday according to CSULB athletic director Bill Shumard

"It [the money] goes to balance our budget, student athlete scholarships and other areas that help us administer the programs," Shumard said.

In previous years Jewels of the Night has raised more than $500,000 to benefit the athletic department, Shumard said

Approximately 1,000 people were in attendance on Saturday, each paying the $60 ticket price.

Many at the event said that the night does more than raise money, it also invites the local campus community to be involved in the school.

"It has actually become the social event of the year for the city of Long Beach," said CSULB women's volleyball head coach Brain Gimmillaro.

"The image of the university is portrayed through the athletic department," Gimmillaro said. "You have some of the outstanding people in this community here and it means they care about this university."

Gimmillaro added that the event has grown tremendously in its sixth year. "What's great about it is that people in the community now show that they really support the athletics of the university and that's what the real special part is."

The first event  was the silent auction that began the night, many in attendance were invited to sample food from 56 different restaurants from around Long Beach.

After dinner, former television sports anchor and CSULB alumni Ed Arnold was the auctioneer for a live auction.  Retired professor David Bernstein said Jewels of the Night is a great event for LBSU. "It brings the community on to the campus for one thing, it shows off The Pyramid and it goes to a good cause," Bernstein said.

"But what I really think is especially nice is how all the restaurants and the community come together and really support the event."