PUEBLO, Colo. (July 24, 2025) – Colorado State University Pueblo Athletics hosted its 21st Annual Pride of the Pack Scholarship Fundraiser on Wednesday evening at the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom on the CSU Pueblo campus. The event went from 5-8:30 p.m.
 
The event drew approximately 400 people and raised a record high $168,000 thanks to a silent auction, diamond ring raffle, ticket sales and scholarship "Text to Give". The Pride of the Pack event was once again title sponsored by UC Health, along with H.W Houston Construction and Pueblo Bank & Trust.
 
Wednesday's silent auction featured 80 items, which included numerous gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche games, a electronic bike and other items that generated $13,000, while the "Text to Give" campaign raised $126,350, the Diamond Raffle generated $9,500 thanks the selling of 95 raffle tickets that cost $100 each, and ticket sales raised $20,000. The goal for the "Text to Give" was $90,000 but was put over the top thanks to a $15,000 donation from Mike and Simon Escobado and Azteca Apartments.
 
Along with those items, attendees also could purchase a $20 grab bag that featured items, including gift certificates and the grab bags generated $500, while there was also a wine pull and a margarita flight that were available for purchase. The attendees could also play a free Loteria Bingo game that was created by Pack softball coach Bianca Duran for a prize package if they earned a bingo.

Among the donors to the "Text to Give" were PepsiCo, who gave $5,000, Black Hills Energy gave $1,500, Lynn and Tim Simmons gave $11,000, Joe Pannunzio gave $1,000, Jackie and Doug Helzer gave $1,000, Kaily and Morgan Fox donated $10,000, Mike Pennel gave $10,000, Craig Ward gave $5,000, the Lamb Foundation gave $10,000, Ted Hernandez donated $15,000 and Stephanie and Ryan Jensen gave $15,000.
 
"What an exciting night for Pack Athletics. I'm so grateful for the support of our donors. The night was filled with great energy and it fueled our coaches, staff and student-athletes as they look to another great year. On behalf of CSU Pueblo Athletics, thank you to our supporters for showing up and giving us the financial and emotional boost to begin another year," said Dr. Paul Plinske, CSU Pueblo Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Partnerships.
 
The Pride of the Pack event was attended by Pack coaches, student-athletes, athletic department employees, Pack Club members, and other special guests. The Pride of the Pack helped kick off a new season of ThunderWolves intercollegiate athletics and all the money raised at the event is used for athletic scholarships. In addition, Pack Club members who had already purchased their memberships for the 2025-26 school year received their Pack Club gear.
 
Wednesday's event was a Latin America themed evening as the evening began with a social hour and cocktails and live music played by from 5-5:45 p.m. by Christian Jaquez, before junior men's wresting student-athlete Solomon Arnds-Volcin (Colorado Springs, Colo./Vista Ridge) addressed the assembled crowd. In addition to Arnds-Volcin, three other student-athletes spoke – junior volleyball player Kacee Garcia (Pueblo West, Colo./Western Colorado), junior women's lacrosse player Dylan Retzloff (Bend, Ore./West Linn) and redshirt freshman football player Russell Patton (Denver, Colo./Dr. MLK Jr. Early College).
 
Following the student-athletes, Dr. Plinske gave his State of CSU Pueblo Athletics Address and talked about the "Text to Give Campaign" and thanked all the attendees and sponsors of Pack Athletics. After Dr. Plinske's talk, the attendees were able to eat at one of the five food stations set-up in the OSC – Station One featured seafood paella, fried plantains, tomato and olive salad and chorizo stuffed mushrooms, Station Two featured street tacos and black beans, Station Three featured Pueblo green chile, enchilada casseroles, Spanish rice and refried beans, Station Four featured pozole, tortillas and calabacitas and Station Five featured desserts ranging from churros, empanadas, tres leche cakes, sopapillas, flan and biscochitos.
 
About an hour later, a hype video that Tyler Lundquist created from the Media Center played and Jim Brooks, who the voice of the ThunderWolves, came onstage to announce the winner of the Diamond Ring Raffle. The winning ticket was drawn by Retzloff and announced by Brooks.
 
Following the Diamond Ring Raffle, the assembled crowd heard from Pack baseball coach Bobby Applegate and the Dr. Plinske returned to the stage to introduce each of the athletic department's head coaches, recognize the 60-plus student-athletes in attendance and highlight the Pack's athletic accomplishments during the 2024-25 school year. 
 
The evening wrapped up with closing remarks from Dr. Plinske and the closure of the silent auction as the winning bidders came towards the front of the room and paid for their items.
 
CSU Pueblo Athletics generates nearly $3.3 million annually in external funding sources (ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, camps and clinics, special events, NCAA postseason competition, sport-specific fundraising, and Pack Club memberships).
 
Anyone interested in still signing up to be a member of the Pack Club, there is still time before the start of the 2025-26 CSU Pueblo athletics season. For more information or to join the Pack Club, click HERE on this link that will take you directly to the Pack Club website.