ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Hartwick College Athletics Department hosted its annual Benefit Auction on April 30, celebrating another successful evening filled with alumni, friends, family, and supporters inside Lambros Arena.
Following a successful relaunch last spring, Hartwick continued the momentum with another outstanding event. Proceeds from the Benefit Auction directly support Hartwick student-athletes, helping provide expanded opportunities, enhanced resources, and meaningful competitive experiences.
Guests had the opportunity to bid on an impressive collection of auction items, including wines and spirits, sporting event tickets, vacation homes and getaways, entertainment packages, and specialty items. Featured experiences included a sunny getaway to Sarasota, Florida, and a three-night stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Sports fans also had the chance to take home exclusive memorabilia, including an autographed poster from NBA Champion and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and an autographed basketball from 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks.
"Once again our Hartwick and Oneonta communities came through for us to create a memorable evening for our Athletic Benefit Auction," said Paul Vecchio, Executive Director of Athletics. "It's been amazing for me to witness an event that had not occurred in six years make such an impact financially on our student-athletes and department. To raise over $20,000 more than last year is a tremendous accomplishment and could not have occurred without the support of our entire staff, the Hartwick Board of Trustees and Hartwick Senior Leadership. In particular, a special thanks to Brittany Stroop, John Scott, Victor Fernandez, Antonio and Vincenzo Avanzato – our core team here in Athletics – and Aimee Beavers, David Lubell and Heather Bailey from our Advancement Team. This isn't possible without their superlative efforts."
Several premium experiences were also secured throughout the evening, including home plate seats to a New York Yankees game, access to the Dell Technologies Club, and four tickets to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Additional opportunities included tickets to events featuring teams such as the Boston Bruins, New York Mets, and Gotham FC.
The event raised over $60,000 in support of Hartwick Athletics, made possible through the generosity and support of alumni, community members, friends, family, and staff. To cap off the Benefit Auction festivities, Hartwick will also host an online auction, providing one final opportunity to bid on highly sought-after items including sports memorabilia, watches, artwork, and additional experiences. The link to the online auction can be found at the bottom of the release, the auction will run from Friday, May 15th to Friday, May 22nd at 12PM.
Auction Site
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
