Luckily, eBay has better things to do than sue George Mason University for stealing its name and logo for the university’s signature GBAY event.
GBAY is an auction hosted by Mason students to help raise money for Mason’s scholarship fund. Private donations from local businesses as well as donations from various campus officials will be raffled off to the highest bidder.
Items to be auctioned off include: a Barnes & Noble Nook, lunch for you and two friends with President Merten, lunch with coach Paul Hewitt of the Mason men’s basketball team, a signed football from Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, Monster energy drinks, a skiing package for Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania, a Vera Bradley bag, tickets to Six Flags America, sports memorabilia and much more.
“GBAY is a student benefit auction,” said Mark Mansdoerfer, a junior double-majoring in management and accounting. “Everything that is being sold is donated from businesses in the area and from departments within the school. The money earned from the online donations site and the items sold will then be given to the general student scholarship fund. The event is in its third year, where we have raised $10,000 and $15,000, respectively, in each of the first two years.”
The auctions not only help students by earning more scholarship money to give back, but they also offer a chance to purchase some really interesting items.
“Many students really reap the benefits and rewards of the scholarship fund, so this is kind of an opportunity for them to give back,” said David Bier, a junior double-majoring in government & international politics and conflict analysis & resolution. “It also gives them a chance to win a lot of really cool prizes.”
“It’s a great opportunity because it helps people in need,” said Mason Ambassador Julie Whitacre, a junior nursing major.
In years past there have been many highly coveted items auctioned off for Mason students.
“Last year there was a banner from a light pole in Indy [from 2006] when Mason went to the Final Four that actually sold for over $2,000,” Bier said. “The year before that, the first year, they auctioned off access to a handicapped single in Northern Neck. I think that went for about $1,500. This was just to get into it — not actually the rent and everything, just access to it.”
One year Bier won an auction for naming his own burger at the Rathskeller. The “Bier Burger” has bacon and cheddar and American cheese on it and has been there for almost two years now.
“I just kind of sat back and waited while two other guys pushed the bidding to $180, then I hopped in and won the bidding at $215,” Bier said.
There will be other opportunities to name foods at Mason this year, including a smoothie at Freshens, a sandwich at Subway and a pizza at Pilot House.
“GBAY is going to be different every year simply because we have new items to auction off each year,” Mansdoerfer said. “This year we will be auctioning off an autographed hockey stick signed by Sergei Fedorov and a one-night stay at Sofitel Luxury Hotel in D.C. You never know what new items we get each year, which makes GBAY different every year.”
This year’s GBAY will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the JC Atrium.
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