'The Drive 2003' Surpasses 1.2 Million, Closes In On Goal of 1.25 Million
July 30, 2003 "The Drive 2003", the Aztec Athletic Foundation's annual campaign to raisefunds for student-athlete scholarships at San Diego State University, hassurpassed the $1.2 million level, and is closing in fast on reaching itsgoal of $1.25 million. Currently, volunteers from around San Diego and Orange Counties have secured pledges totaling $1,206,143, building on last year's record level $1.1 million that was surpassed earlier in the campaign. Recently, volunteers gathered at the Aztec Athletic Center to honor team andindividual honors for the campaign. In the team competition, a furious late rally by The Better Half out ofNorth County, led by Team Captain Larry Cook and AAF President Craig Nelson, pushed the team to the title with $97,084, 166.9 percent of their 2002 total. The late rally sparked the team to victory over the two-time defending team champs from Scripps Ranch/Poway, Morrison's Monty Clubbers, led by Team Captain Bert Morrison, who finished with $149,395, 123.6 percent of their 2002total. The Team Champions are decided by the greatest overall percentageincrease over their 2002 final tally. Final team standings were as follows: 1. The Better Half (North County, captained by Larry Cook) - $97,084, 166.9 percent of of 2002 In the individual race, Ben Bagnas from Morrison's Monty Clubbers finishedoff his quest for the "three-peat", claiming the Aztec of the Year title forthe third consecutive year with $76,385. The husband and wife duo of Jimand Deborah Marshall from Monty's Beach Bum Border Patrol placed second at $64,243. Top 10 individual results were as follows: 1. Ben Bagnas (Morrison's Monty Clubbers) - $76,385 In other individual awards, AAF President Craig Nelson (The Better Half)claimed top honors as this year's New Revenue Producer, finding $14,427 innew money for the AAF. In the Rookie of the Year race, the team of JimCahill & Nancy Butler (Monty's Beach Bum Border Patrol) claimed top honors, raising $18,720. In addition to the Top 10 individuals and Rookies of the Year listed above,a total of 36 volunteers attained the prestigious "Monty Club" level,signifying efforts of raising over $10,000 during the campaign, thus earningthem the right to choose a pair of Aztec Football or Men's Basketball seasontickets for the upcoming 2003-04 campaign. The additional 25 volunteers include: Nancy Conger, Matt Pohl, Jim Brown, Martin Imhof, Phil & Dottie Van Dommelen, Chris Zito & Danny Isaac, Steve Schulman, Matt Chaffee, John Lohrenz, Barbara Halte, Rodney Winter, John Aydelotte, Steve Nielander, Marcus Matherly, Vince Biondo, Steve Almond, Lee Shick, Don Vonk, Bruce Johnson, Bert Morrison, Richard & Paula Davila, John Klein, Craig McMahon, John & Becky Busch, and Rick & Candy Williams. The AAF would like to congratulate all award winners and Monty Club members. The AAF is still accepting your donations, so if you have not renewed yourmembership, or would like to join, you can still support the AAF in itsquest to raise $1.25 million. Simply call the Aztec Athletic Foundation at(619) 594-6444, or e-mail at aaf@mail.sdsu.edu, to make your donation today and help us build on our third consecutive record year. Visit the Aztecs website at www.goaztecs.com for continuing updates on "TheDrive 2003". |
