The Drive 2001 Reaches ,807.81 After Second Report Night

May 8, 2001

SAN DIEGO - The Aztec Athletic Foundation hosted Report Night No. 2 on Thursday, May3rd at Qualcomm Stadium for its volunteers from around San Diego County.The report night marked the half-way point of The Drive 2001. It wasthe second in a series of three-group sessions to track progress on theAAF's seven-week annual campaign to raise $1 million in unrestrictedfunds for student-athlete scholarships at San Diego State University.

The total amount of pledges committed as of May 3rd is $661,807.81.Volunteers also heard from Aztec Assistant Women's Basketball CoachTrish Sears regarding recruiting and the 2001-2002 campaign.

"We've basically hit two-thirds of our $1 million goal at the halfwaypoint," said AAF Director Pat Kreger. "It's been a fantastic start, andthat's a testament to our volunteers and the constituency of San DiegoState University. We've asked these groups to step forward, and throughfour weeks of the campaign, they have. It really shows how importantAztec Athletics is to everyone."

"We've hit the two-thirds mark, now it's time to blow past $1 million,"said The Drive 2001 Chairman Craig Nelson. "It's up to our group ofvolunteers to capitalize on the momentum created and finish the campaignwith a strong three weeks, and make sure we leave no stone unturned.Now is the time to jump on board and be a part of the athleticturnaround at SDSU, and be part of the ground level."

The team race has seen the Scripps Ranch/Poway team take the lead with$63,130 in pledges, which represents 107 percent of their team totalfrom 2000, followed in second by The Beach Bums with $77,202 and 81percent of 2000. Team awards are based on the greatest percentageincreases from 2000.

In the individual race, Ben Bagnas, AAF President and Team Captain forthe Scripps Ranch/Poway team, is putting on a dominating performance,with $43,920 to date, which is 138 percent of his 2000 total. In secondis the husband and wife team of Jim & Deborah Marshall of The BeachBums, with $36,967 to date, and 117 percent of their 2000 total.

Listed below is a recap of the team and top 10 individual totals.

If you would like to make a donation to The Drive 2001 and help the AAFreach their goal of $1 million, simply click any "Aztec AthleticFoundation" icon, download an application and fax it to (619) 594-2666,or call us at (619) 594-6444, and we can take your donation by phone.

Report Night No. 3 for The Drive 2001 is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th,at Qualcomm Stadium at 6 p.m.

TEAM TOTALS - 5/3/01

TEAM                        AMOUNT       % OF 2000Scripps Ranch/Poway     $63,130.00            107%The Beach Bums          $77,202.00             81%North County            $48,315.92             70%Tierrasanta Terrors     $66,091.00             69%Monty's Border Patrol   $44,118.96             67%The Family Jewels       $74,125.00             66%East County Full Monty  $35,111.00             57%El Cajonies             $59,999.04             54%

Top 10 Individuals - as of 5/3/01

Ben Bagnas - Scripps Ranch                    $43,920.00Jim & Deborah Marshall - The Beach Bums       $36,967.00Bobbie Harkey - Tierrasanta Terrors           $34,779.00Bob McCray - The Family Jewels                $26,951.00Bob Yarbrough - El Cajonies                   $24,689.08Cliff Bee - Monty's Border Patrol             $20,899.00Fred Conger - The Beach Bums                  $15,140.00Matt Pohl - Monty's Border Patrol             $14,984.96Kurt Cecconi - The Beach Bums                 $12,694.00Fred & Sharon Lear - East County Full Monty   $11,328.00